IESE Africa Initiative
Developing sustainable business leadership in Africa
IESE’s Africa Initiative has a clear mission: to help develop sustainable business leadership in Africa in order to have a positive and lasting impact on African society.
We contribute toward this mission by creating and disseminating relevant business knowledge related to Africa, by promoting exchange initiatives and by supporting our network of associated business schools on the Continent.
100+
Research documents, working papers and business cases
750
Alumni working across the continent
480
Students in exchange modules per year
100+
Research documents, working papers and business cases
750
Alumni working across the continent
480
Students in exchange modules per year
Objectives.
The Africa Initiative plays a central role in IESE’s aspiration to shape leaders on the African continent for positive and lasting impact on people, business and society. There are four objectives that drive its activity.
Investing in People
Transforming lives by investing in future business leaders on the Continent
Investing in Research
Expanding the intellectual capital in Africa by funding chairs and research projects across the Continent
Forging Corporate Partnerships
Building relationships across the Continent for a continuous and holistic learning partnership
Partnering with our Associate Business Schools in Africa
Scale our reach and impact through effective partnerships with local business schools we helped to establish in Africa
Areas of action.
Joint program development
Exchange programs
Research
Faculty development
Conferences & seminars
MBA Africa Business Club
Activities & Events.
September 2023
- IESE hosts Strathmore Business School and Lagos Business School AMP program participants for one-week international module in Barcelona. More information.
October 2023
- IESE hosts Strathmore Business School and Lagos Business School EMBA students for one-week international module in Barcelona. More information.
November 2023
- CEO of Sterling Bank Nigeria Abubakar Suleiman gives the keynote address at IESE’s Global Alumni Reunion on “Driving innovative change in Africa”
- Professor Fabrizio Ferraro hosts a session on “Investing for Impact in Africa” with the following speakers: Funda Sezgi, CEO of Norrsken Foundation; Abubakar Suleiman, CEO of Sterling Bank Nigeria; Cristina Ventura, GP of White Star Capital; Sebastian Waldburg, co-founder of Oryx Impact
January 2024
- On January 9th, we hosted a joint IESE / SBS alumni session in Nairobi, where we invited IESE alumni Davis Cook (GEMBA 2018) and Ike Anoke (GEMBA 2024) to share their insights on the challenges of scaling entrepreneurial ventures in Africa.
- On January 15th, Orbit Health and IESE's Center for Research in Healthcare Innovation Management joined forces to offer a Health Innovation Masterclass in Addis Ababa led by Prof. Magda Rosenmoller
- On January 16th, we held a workshop on Succession Planning and Governance in Addis Ababa for the leading entrepreneurial families in Ethiopia, with plans to do more of the same in other African cities.
March 2024
- On March 8th, we hosted an online masterclass on maximizing the value of Board Of Directors for scaling African startups led by IESE Senior Entrepreneurship Lecturer Mathieu Carenzo
April 2024
- On April 17th, we invited IESE Alumni Sibusiso Mbonambi (MBA23), Loueen Blunden (GEMBA 21), Anne Endres (MBA04) and Stephan Jooste (PMD23) on an Alumni Panel in Johannesburg to share their experiences with prospective students.
- In two consecutive days, on April 19th and 20th, we held two workshops on Succession Planning and Governance in Pretoria and Cape Town for leading entrepreneurial families in South Africa
May 2024
- We launched the first Africa-focused IESE Insight Edition: "Leaping Ahead - Lessons from Africa on making strides in Business". Full edition can be accessed here.
June 2024
- Africa Initiative joined the Africa Spain Business Summit in Barcelona where we shared the history and rationale behind IESE's contribution to help establish business schools in Africa.
July 2024
- During the 2-week long visit of MDE Business School's participants, we hosted a panel discussion on Financing the Infrastructure Gap in Africa with pertinent interventions from Sameh Shenouda - Chief Investment Officer at the Africa Finance Corporation; Ogbemi Ofuya - partner at Helios Investment Partners: Ebrunur Kapucu - MD and Board Member of Limak Africa and Javier Elizald - founder and CEO of Salvi Lighting.
November 2022
- CEO of the Africa Finance Corporation Samaila Zubairu addresses IESE’s students and alumni in Barcelona on “Africa’s role in the new Global Order”
- IESE Professor Pedro Videla and LBS Professor Bongo Adi exchange perspectives on the Global Economic Outlook and the Nigerian Economy at a joint IESE/LBS alumni event
- Professor Pedro Videla interviews Abubakar Suleiman, CEO of Sterling Bank Nigeria, on “The impact of Fintech Innovation on Emerging Market Economies” at the Capital Club in Lagos
January 2023
- IESE second-year MBA students spend one week in Nairobi at Strathmore Business School
- Prof. Heinrich Liechtenstein hosts a session on Financing of Entrepreneurial Ventures in Nairobi with the following speakers: Milkah Wachiuri, Chief Growth Officer at Cellulant; Saskia Van der Mast, Co-CEO at DOB Equity; Ines Serra Baucels, CEO Biossora; Eva Warigia, CEO East Africa PE & VC Association
April 2023
- Teddy Daka, CEO of Zutari, Lincoln Mali, CEO Lesaka Technologies Southern Africa and Loueen Blunden, COO of American Tower Corporation, share their insights on “The Power of Continuous Learning for Senior Executives” with IESE’s community in Johannesburg
- Prof. Heinrich Liechtenstein hosts a session on Scaling of African Startups with the following speakers: Rahul Jain, Founder and CEO of Peach Payments; Vuyo Hlompho Ntoi - Co-managing Director of African Infrastructure Investment Managers; and, Matt Kloos, Co-Founder and CFO of CompariSure
July 2023
- IESE hosts MDE Business School AMP and PMD program participants for one-week international module in Barcelona
Research.
NON-REFEREED ARTICLES
IESE INSIGHT, (2015). Ebola: Managing to Save Lives. Two experts on Ebola discuss the importance of preparedness, rapid response, coordination and community engagement in the management of a crisis of global proportions. IESE Insight(24), pp. 67 – 71.
MUDIDA, R., LAGO, A. (2015). Five Pillars for Doing Business in Africa. A Road Map to Opportunities. IESE Insight(24), pp. 15 – 23.
ARIÑO, A. (2015). Strategies That Go the Distance in Africa. Crossing the Divides. IESE Insight(24), pp. 24 – 31.
OVADJE, F. (2015). What Kind of Leader Will Thrive in Africa?. Putting Success in Context. IESE Insight(24), pp. 32 – 39.
IESE INSIGHT, (2013). Vodafone Ghana: Are Profits Just a Call Away?. Focus on Big Picture: Data; Rise to the Challenge; Invest in Entrepreneurship. IESE Insight(18), pp. 64 – 68.
OCCASIONAL PAPERS
MARTÍ, G., PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2021). The Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Sector: An Overview. IESE, OP-626-E.
LETICIA PELIZAN,, GIORDANO, P., LICKTEIG, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2019). Promoting Access to Clean Cooking Fuels in Subsaharian Africa Through Entrepreneurial Initiative: Challenges and Strategies.. IESE, OP-312-E.
PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2019). The Cooking Fuel Sector in Ghana. IESE, OP-321-E.
PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., MARTÍ, G. (2019). Overview of Ghana’s Fertilizer Sector. IESE, OP-323-E.
PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., LICKTEIG, L. (2019). Solar Home Solutions Using a Pay-As-You-Go Model in Ghana: Exploring the Opportunity. IESE, OP-319-E.
PELIZAN, L., LICKTEIG, L., MARTÍ, G. (2019). Pay-As-You-Go for LPG Supply – Exploring a New Business Model to Enhance Access to Clean Cooking Solutions in Urban Areas in Ghana. IESE, OP-318-E
PELIZAN, L., LICKTEIG, L. (2019). Biofuel Production in Ghana: Exploring the Opportunity. OP-320-E.
PELIZAN, L., KARL D. FIEVE, J., LICKTEIG, L. (2019). Overview of the Power Sector in Ghana. OP-322-E.
PAOLA GIORDANO, LETICIA PELIZAN, RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018). Pay-As-You-Go: Unlocking Access to Energy Services in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Disruptive Business Model Leveraging Mobile Technology to Finance Energy Services for the Bottom of the Pyramid. IESE, OP-303-E.
OPINION AND OTHER
EUFINGER, C. (2018). Could Crowdfunding Be Right for Your Business?. Alternative Financing. IESE Insight(38), pp. 22 – 29.
RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2016). Check Your Biases. Africa’s energy debates can generate more heat than light. Follow this advice for a light-bulb moment.. IESE Insight.
ARGANDOÑA, A. (2015). Renew Your Mind. IESE Insight.
TECHNICAL NOTES
BERWART, A., LAGO A., A. (2020). African Markets and Consumers. IESE, PN-509-E.
WORKING PAPERS
BARCELONA, R. G., RONOH, G., TCHÓRZEWSKA, K. B. (2019). Kenya’s Imperfect Fuel Market: Tackling Real Problems With Real Solutions(WP-1200-E). Barcelona: IESE.
GIORDANO, P., ASSOGBA, M., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018). Accelerating the Green Revolution in Cote d’Ivoire: Fertilizers Against Undernourishment and Deforestation(WP-1204-E). Barcelona: IESE.
PELIZAN PAVLAK, L., SEDJI, S.-I. H., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018). Powering Côte d’Ivoire. Understanding The Landscape And Exploring Possibilities For Investment(WP-1205-E). Barcelona: IESE.
RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., SANCHEZ, F., SEDJI, S.-I. (2018). Fuel Industry for Road Transportation in Côte D’ivoire(WP-1206-E). Barcelona: IESE.
RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., SANCHEZ, F., KERUBO, L. (2017). Powering Kenya: Understanding the Landscape and Exploring Possibilities for Investments(WP-1180-E). Barcelona: IESE.
RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., GIORDANO, P., OTIENO, I. (2017). Growing Kenya: Exploring Investment Opportunities in Kenya’s Fertilizer Industry(WP-1173-E). Barcelona: IESE.
N’GUESSAN, M. N., ALEGRE, I., CANELA, M. Á. (2017). Crowdfunding In Africa. An Empirical Study Of Kiva Platform Users In Sub-Saharan Africa(WP-1172-E). Barcelona: IESE.
RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., SANCHEZ, F., GIORDANO, P. (2017). Alternative Cooking Fuels in Kenya: How Can Household Decision-making Be Impacted?(WP-1177-E). Barcelona: IESE.
IBARRA GARZA, A., CUGUERÓ-ESCOFET, N., CANELA, M. Á. (2017). Prosocial Crowdlending in Kenya(WP-1166-E). Barcelona: IESE.
CASES
LEE, Y.-T., REICHE, S. (2022). Uwa Ode: Embracing Life and Career across Cultures. IESE, DPO-760-E.
PELIZAN PAVLAK, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., MARTÍ, G. (2021). Ignite Power in Rwanda. Electric Power on a Different Scale…for All? IESE, OP-625-E.
PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2019). Compagnie Ivoirienne d’Électricité: Delivering Electricity for All. IESE, OP-314-E.
N’GUESSAN, M. N., ALEGRE, I., CANELA, M. Á. (2019). HR Analytics at Barney. IESE, AD-369-E.
MUNGAI, E., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018). Public Private Policy Change Engagement: Consumer Choice Limited. IESE, E-189-E.
MORENO, VICTORIA; DE ZULOAGA, JON. (2017) Green Resources: Making Money with Sustainability. IESE, SM-1655-E.
PLANA OLÍAS, A., VACCARO, A., RAMUS, T. (2017). The Indego Africa Project (A). Genesis and launch of a competitive social enterprise. IESE, BE-203-E.
PLANA OLÍAS, A., VACCARO, A., RAMUS, T. (2017). The Indego Africa Project (B). Genesis and launch of a competitive social enterprise. IESE, BE-204-E.
DELONCA, E., BRION, S. (2017). A Sacred Spirits Dilemma (A). IESE, DPO-399-E.
DELONCA, E., BRION, S. (2017). A Sacred Spirits Dilemma (B). IESE, DPO-400-E.
ROSENMÖLLER, M., GAGO, F., JAISWAL, N. (2017). CISM – Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça Manhiça Health Research Centre. Managing Research & Development. IESE, P-1149-E.
MAZZACANI, G. M., LAGO, A. (2017). Equitel: The Battle for Mobile Money in Kenya. IESE, P-1153-E.
NTOI, H., THOMAS, L., VILÀ, J. (2016). The Managerial Dilemma of E-Toll Route Implementation in South Africa. IESE, SM-1643-E.
ARIÑO, A., TATARINOV, K. (2016). Innovis Telecom: Entrepreneurial Internationalization. IESE, SM-1627-E.
VACCARO, A., RAMUS, T. (2015). Samasource. IESE, BE-195-E.
SIEBER, S., LAGO, A., GO, T. (2014). M-Pesa – Mobile Banking in Kenya. IESE, SI-192-E.
LEE, Y.-T., REICHE, S. (2013). Uwa Ode. A Cultural Chameleon or Stranded between Cultural Chairs? IESE, DPO-281-E.
NUENO, P., AKUA AFFUL-KWAW, P. (2012). Vodafone Ghana. IESE, E-153-E.
VERGARA, C., GUTÉS, J. D. (2012). Mara Tower in Naïrobi Kenya. IESE, F-875-E.
CASES WRITTEN BY FACULTY OF ASSOCIATED BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN AFRICA
Lagos Business School (LBS) case collection can be found here.
Strathmore Business School (SBS) case collection can be found here.
MDE Business School (MDE) cases:
- N’Guessan, Marie Noelle (2014). INECTO. MDE, M-01-F
- Olaye, Ernest (2014). KOFFI YAO. MDE, DA-001-F
- Soumahoro, Mory. PAUL IVOIRE. MDE
- Olaye, Ernest (2016). SNC-CI. MDE, DA-002-F
- Anoh, Léonce. TISA. MDE, MO-001-F
- MINI-CAS CORRUPTION. MDE
Exchange programs.
Every year, more than 180 IESE students travel to Nairobi for elective experiences in their programs.
IESE MBA overseas module in Nairobi
During their second year, IESE MBA students can choose to take one or two week modules at diverse locations around the world. In Nairobi, at Strathmore Business School, the module takes place on a yearly basis, in January. The courses offered are: Doing Business in Africa, New Realities, Immersion and Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship in Africa. They are led by both IESE and Strathmore faculty members. The first week focuses on academic content, while during the second week, students will have the opportunity to work in small teams together with local business leaders on a project, helping to solve problems that Kenyan companies are facing.
IESE Executive MBA overseas module in Nairobi
IESE EMBA students can choose to take a one or more week module at diverse locations around the world, including one in Nairobi, at Strathmore Business School. An intensive and highly impactful experience, this overseas module gives our students an unparalleled insight into the African business environment and culture.
Every year, IESE’s Barcelona and Madrid campuses welcome more than 300 African participants from our associated schools.
- Pan African Executive MBA Module (Strathmore and Lagos Business Schools) in Barcelona
- Advanced Management Program (MDE Business School, Ivory Coast) in Barcelona
- Program for Management Development (MDE Business School, Ivory Coast) in Barcelona
- Advanced Management Program (Strathmore Business School, Kenya) in Barcelona
- Senior Management Leadership Program (Strathmore Business School, Kenya) in Barcelona
Associated schools.
Our associated schools are a valuable source of local expertise and knowledge on businesses on the Continent.
Team.
Team.
Academic Director
Heinrich Liechtenstein
Professor
Financial Management
Initiative Director
Ermias Mebrate Mengistu
Director, Africa Initiative
Initiative Committee.
Initiative Committee.
Amaka Ndubisi
Associate Director (Africa, Southern Europe & UKI), MBA Admissions
Origins of the Initiative.
20+ years on the Continent
Internationalization has been one of the key characteristics of IESE since its founding in 1958. IESE’s participants, research and faculty have always had strong international components. Over the years, IESE itself has developed internationally, expanding to Brazil, Germany and the United States, among other locations.
In addition to its own organic growth, IESE has contributed to the creation and development of 18 other business schools throughout the world.
Initially, such associated business schools were mostly created in Latin America due to obvious reasons of culture and language, but over the past two decades, IESE has put significant emphasis on Africa. Some highlights:
- In 1991 IESE was instrumental in the launch and subsequent development of Lagos Business School in Nigeria. Then, around 2000, IESE started cooperating with Nile University in Cairo, Egypt.
- In 2005, IESE helped launch Strathmore Business School within the preexisting, prestigious Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya.
- In 2008, AESE Business School (Lisbon, Portugal) together with FACIDE (an Angolan association of executives) launched the Angola School of Management (ASM). IESE was also invited to participate in this effort, which was largely driven from Lisbon.
- In 2009, after offering some short seminars to test the waters, IESE helped IHE-Afrique to launch MDE Business School in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. It was then decided to launch a long executive education program and eventually the first AMP started in February 2011.
- Due the increasing activity of IESE faculty in these kinds of projects, IESE decided to create the IESE Africa Initiative in September 2009 in order to enhance the commitment of the school to the education of the next generation of African business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Since then, we have offered different programs and modules abroad to our students and to students of our partner institutions; helped to train faculty from our associated schools; developed research and academic material focused on the Continent’s bursting business reality; and created a community of business leaders committed to having a positive and lasting impact on African society.