Africa’s business landscape is evolving amid rapid technological change, shifting global markets, and growing demands for sustainable and ethical leadership. The need for visionary executives capable of driving transformative growth has never been greater. Against this backdrop, the 2026 Global CEO Africa Programme convened distinguished business leaders from across the continent. They took part in an immersive learning experience focused on shaping resilient, future-ready African enterprises.
From 18th to 22nd May 2026, the SBS campus hosted the 2026 Global CEO Africa Programme Cohort. Participants joined from Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and South Sudan. They took part in a week of high-level executive engagement, strategic reflection, and peer learning.
The immersive five-day programme convened top business leaders for deep discussions on co-creating African solutions to contemporary business challenges. Throughout the week, participants explored critical themes including ethical leadership, digital transformation, regional trade, sustainability, global branding, organisational disruption, and strategic agility. Carefully curated sessions are built on one another to create a cohesive and transformative learning journey.
The programme commenced with Carol Musyoka, Programme Academic Director, setting the tone for purposeful leadership and strategic transformation. Her opening session challenged participants to rethink leadership beyond profitability. She encouraged them to embrace their broader role in shaping institutions, economies, and societies.
Building on this foundation, The Ethical Leader session, facilitated by Dr Caesar Mwangi, provided an insightful exploration of organisational ethics and the growing importance of values-driven leadership in building resilient, trusted, and sustainable institutions. Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on integrity, accountability, and the long-term impact of ethical decision-making in today’s complex business environment.
Regional trade and economic integration emerged as another major area of focus during the week. Sessions such as Trading in Africa and Doing Business in East Africa offered practical insights into the opportunities and complexities shaping intra-African commerce and investment. Speakers, including Sophia Asiimwe of TradeMark Africa and senior executives from leading regional organisations, shared real-world experiences navigating Africa’s dynamic economic and regulatory landscape to unlock opportunities for cross-border growth and collaboration.
The programme emphasised leadership in times of disruption and uncertainty. Sessions covered navigating turbulence, turning around large organisations, and leading global companies through change, highlighting the strategic agility required of modern executives. A notable session with Allan Kilavuka offered insights from the aviation industry on steering organisations through crisis and transformation while maintaining resilience and competitiveness.
Drawing from the week’s rich conversations and executive insights, the programme culminated in an industry immersion visit to Kenya Airways. The experience offered participants a rare behind-the-scenes perspective into the operational and strategic realities of leading one of Africa’s premier aviation brands. Participants left with actionable insights on effective leadership, crisis management, and customer experience, as well as a deeper appreciation for the complexities of coordinating large-scale operations within a globally connected industry.
The immersion experience reinforced key programme themes around resilience, innovation, transformative leadership, and strategic execution. It enabled participants to bridge classroom insights with real-world executive practice. The experience also underscored the programme’s commitment to experiential learning and practical leadership development tailored to Africa’s evolving business environment.
About the Global CEO Africa Programme
The Global CEO Africa Programme empowers African business leaders to sharpen strategic vision and drive transformative growth amid disruptive trends. Participants gain collaborative learning, executive insights, and access to leading practitioners, equipping them to craft innovative African solutions and elevate their organisations’ global competitiveness. Learn more about this Programme here
Article by Juliet Hinga
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