Over 50 Executive MBA students from IESE Business School docked at Strathmore University, January 11, for a week-long expedition designed to give them an up-close look at the challenges and opportunities of doing business on the African continent. The programme, a collaboration between Strathmore Business School (SBS) and IESE Business School, was packed with a blend of insightful class sessions, industry visits, and hands-on cultural exchanges.
The week kicked off with visits to powerhouse companies like Sanergy and Safaricom, where students got a firsthand look at how businesses are navigating Africa’s landscape. Among the many speakers, Sonia Kabra, co-founder of Buupass, stole the show with her talk about digitizing Africa’s fragmented transport sector. Operating in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, Buupass is modernizing how people get around – and Sonia is all about taking these ideas even further. She’s got big dreams of making Africa’s transport systems as smooth as India’s, one digital platform at a time.
The industry talks were rich with perspectives, too. Antony Wahome from AG Group International broke down the mining sector’s challenges and opportunities, stressing how securing miners’ tenure could transform Africa’s mining yields. The panel on Africa’s economic shift from manufacturing to finance, plus a candid discussion about infrastructure development, left everyone thinking about the massive opportunities in every sector – from agriculture to mining.
The real gems came from Dr. Vincent Ogutu, the Vice Chancellor, Strathmore University, who led a session on managing organizational challenges in Africa. He shared valuable insights through the story of Diana Mensah, born to a Ghanaian father and an Irish-American mother, who navigated a complex cultural identity.
Despite facing many challenges, including market competition and corruption, she stayed focused on her vision to advance energy transition in Ghana. Dr. Ogutu highlighted that when confronting corruption, one should always be guided by ethical principles, such as deontology and consequentialism. He concluded with the empowering reminder: “You can only be threatened with things you are good at.”
And then, just when you thought it couldn’t get more interesting, Dr. Caesar Mwangi, Executive Dean of Strathmore University Business School, laid out the harsh realities of doing business in Africa. He emphasized that challenges are opportunities for growth, urging a focus on the continent’s potential rather than its current limitations. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he encouraged belief in Africa’s ability to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Despite Africa’s vast size of 30.3 million square kilometers and rich mineral resources such as lithium from Mali, chromium in Zimbabwe, and copper in Zambia, its production levels remain lower than expected, with smaller nations like Japan outperforming the continent.
Dr. Mwangi identified various obstacles, including cultural issues, globalization, and underutilized resources. He highlighted Africa’s energy crisis, marked by low electrification rates, inefficient systems, high dependency on traditional fuels, and limited renewable energy use.
However, he pointed to significant opportunities in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement also offers prospects for trade liberalization, particularly in sectors like pharmaceuticals and energy.
To succeed in Africa, Dr. Mwangi recommended adopting ethical business practices, implementing the right strategies, targeting customers effectively, employing skilled labor, and managing risks robustly. His message underscored hope and the untapped potential for growth on the continent.
It was not all talks and conference calls. The team visited Ushirika School in Kibera, one of Nairobi’s most vibrant and bustling informal settlements. I was on the first bus, and just a few meters from the school, I began to hear chants of “Vuyanzi, Vuyanzi, Vuyanzi, Vuyanzi.” Suddenly, memories of my roots flooded my mind.
I burst into song, ululating as if I’d just aced an advanced class in traditional celebrations. The enthusiasm drew everyone’s attention until it dawned on me, it was time to let the Ushirika students take the spotlight. After all, this was their day to shine.
This song has always been dear to me, a childhood favorite that celebrates the power of love; love for our friends and those around us.
For over thirty minutes, we danced with abandon, our shoulders doing most of the work since they were all we had to offer. Hand in hand with the IESE students, we guided them through the art of shoulder-shaking, a skill far superior to the trending “Anguka Nayo.” In those moments, I was transported back to my grandmother’s home, where joyous welcomes like this were a tradition. Long live Grandma. But I digress.
In collaboration with Strathmore’s Community Service Centre, the IESE students engaged with schoolchildren in a heartfelt exchange of stories, wisdom, and motivation. The aim was simple: inspire the kids to keep pushing forward in their education because that’s how they’ll rise above poverty.
A standout moment came when Priscilla, a local Form Four student, confessed she loved football but wasn’t so keen on schoolwork. Agnes, an IESE student, dropped some wisdom: “Find balance between nurturing your talent and excelling academically,” she said. The result? A whole lot of high-fives, hand-holding, and new friendships blossomed as the students and local kids walked through Kibera together.
The IESE students and local children broke into small groups, engaging in lively and meaningful conversations. Strathmore’s focus on Personalized Attention really shone through here as they aimed to create intimate, impactful connections.
After all the inspiring discussions and community engagement, it was time to let loose. The students and their hosts took part in a cultural exchange, with performances that showcased the incredible diversity of the group. The Indians wowed everyone with their captivating dance moves, and the Spanish brought their own flavor, even though we were secretly hoping they’d belt out “Bailando”. But what really stole the show was the spontaneous energy everyone shared. It was a party, a celebration, and a true exchange of cultures, all rolled into one.
The week also saw deep dives into Africa’s future on the global stage. A panel discussion on Africa’s role in the global mineral economy sparked conversation on cobalt, lithium, and the importance of local ownership in driving sustainable development. Sonia shared her optimism, pointing out that by 2030, Africa will have a massive chunk of the world’s population, bringing with it an explosion of demand for services, jobs, and opportunities.
The students were reminded that businesses must be adaptable, understanding local cultures and customs is crucial for success, and that Africa’s greatest asset lies in its people and potential.
The programme, dubbed Doing Business in Africa, was a journey through the heart of Africa’s potential, a peek into the future, and an unforgettable cultural adventure. From insightful panels to heartwarming moments in Kibera, the Doing Business in Africa Programme at Strathmore University was a massive success. And who knows? The future business leaders who took part in this experience might just be the ones shaping Africa’s next chapter.
Article written by Teresa Nekesa
Adapted from https://strathmore.edu/news-articles/iese-executive-mba-students-explore-africas-business-and-culture-at-strathmore-2/ on 20th January 2025 1529hrs (GMT + 3)
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