It’s 7 a.m. in California, and an international student is filling out his fourth housing application of the week. Judging by the questions, he’s doubtful that he will get the rental, but he fills it anyway because he desperately needs a place to stay. For him, this isn’t just a simple housing search, it is a frustrating battle against an unfair system.
A Familiar Problem
Every year, thousands of Nigerian students travel abroad for education and they face a common challenge—finding a home. According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria, Nigeria ranks as the top African country sending students to the U.S. and the 7th largest globally. With 20,000 students travelling from Nigeria to the U.S. per year, student housing is essentially a Nigerian issue. These students go from a simple agent-landlord system in Nigeria to more complex application processes, which is quite a culture shock to many of them. North American landlords often require credit scores, guarantors, and extensive background checks, requirements which can be inaccessible to newcomers. On top of that, application fees, which can range between $50-$100, quickly add up with no guarantee of success. After paying thousands of dollars in visa, school and travel fees, navigating the American rental system becomes a huge point of frustration for many students and their families rooting for them back home.
When Kaabo co-founder Seun Sanni travelled from Nigeria to Canada, he faced a similar challenge. A problem solver, even after finding a home, the problem stayed on his mind. He understood that housing is more than just a roof over your head; it is an essential need that impacts mental and physical well-being. For students trying to find a home before school starts, being stuck house hunting for months jeopardizes their education, life and future.
An Idea Inspired by Community
Driven by his own journey and a desire to create a smoother path for others, Seun channelled his expertise in scaling fintech and proptech startups into a powerful mission. He co-founded a startup in Canada to address the rental problem faced by international students. But the mission didn’t stop there. While running this start-up, he began to receive messages from international students facing similar challenges in the U.S. and around the world. As the messages poured in, a new purpose emerged. Inspired by their stories, Seun expanded his vision and created Kaabo—an AI-powered solution that simplifies the tedious rental process, making it more accessible for international students.
The Kaabo Solution
Kaabo, a Yoruba word that means “welcome”, is designed to solve the precise problem of housing for international students. Kaabo works by allowing renters to create a single verified application that they can use across multiple rentals. This means that students now only have to pay a one-time application fee, which grants them access to multiple landlords and homes. This system helps them save money, eliminates a repetitive process, and reduces the risk of rejection. This verified system also makes it easier for landlords to vet and approve international students.
Kaabo also incorporates a rent reporting system that helps students build credit and secure their future. The platform offers rent advance support to ease the financial burden of renters.
For landlords and property owners, the platform is an ideal partner as it offers them instant rent payout.
From Nigeria to the World
“I built Kaabo to give International students dignity and peace of mind,” Says Seun Sanni “If we reduce the financial and emotional burden of leaving home for education, more Nigerian students can thrive and impact the world positively.”
Kaabo launched in beta in California, a major hub for students with prestigious institutions such as Stanford, UCLA, Caltech, and UC Berkeley. The platform already has hundreds of properties onboarded and available to renters.
The vision for Kaabo is clear; expand across the U.S. and scale to serve African and other international students. The startup isn’t just simplifying a process, it is transforming the entire American rental system by making it more accessible to everyone. Every year, as thousands of international students make their way to the US for education, Kaabo hopes to welcome them by easing this transition.
Kaabo is a testament to the ability to turn a personal journey into global impact. With this startup, Seun is not only simplifying a tedious process for Nigerian students and landlords, but he is also helping the next generation of international students thrive. With Kaabo, the coming generation of international students will be able to focus on academic success and reach their full potential in a more welcoming world.
