Immersive Leadership, Context, and Impact from the Nairobi Module of the Doing Business in Africa Programme (DBAP)

Between 12th and 16th January 2026, Strathmore University Business School (SBS) hosted visiting Executive MBA students from IESE Business School for the Doing Business in Africa Programme (DBAP). Co-designed by SBS and IESE, the programme offers an immersive learning experience that deliberately blends academic rigour, industry engagement, and community immersion—grounding global business thinking firmly in African realities.

The Nairobi Module opened with a strong contextual foundation through the African Insights sessions, which explored Africa’s historical, political, socio-economic, and cultural dynamics. Through discussions on historical legacies, informal systems, cuisine, music, sports, and diplomacy, participants were encouraged to move beyond conventional business cases and appreciate the deeper forces shaping markets and decision-making across the continent. A clear message emerged: doing business in Africa requires contextual intelligence, humility, and adaptability.

A defining feature of the module was its emphasis on experiential learning. One of the programme’s highlights was a visit to The Sanergy Collaborative (Sanergy HQ), where students examined how circular economy principles can be applied to address urban sanitation challenges at scale. Through site visits and case-based discussions, participants engaged with Sanergy’s innovative business model—one that transforms sanitation into a sustainable enterprise that delivers social, environmental, and economic value.

Working in teams, students grappled with real operational challenges, identified opportunities, negotiated solutions, and developed business ideas grounded in lived realities. The experience demonstrated the power of systems thinking, local innovation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship in tackling complex development challenges.

The programme also prioritised industry exposure, offering students direct engagement with some of Kenya’s leading organisations. During an industry visit to Safaricom PLC, participants interacted with senior strategists and leaders, gaining insights into strategy, innovation, and leadership within a highly competitive and fast-evolving sector. Discussions highlighted how African firms navigate scale, technology, regulation, and inclusion while remaining commercially successful.

Leadership and ethics formed a central pillar of the Nairobi Module. A particularly impactful session was led by Dr. Vincent Ogutu, Vice Chancellor of Strathmore University, who guided students through a deep reflection on leadership, ethics, and decision-making. Drawing on deontological, consequentialist, and values-based approaches, the session challenged participants to view leadership not merely as a function of outcomes or rules, but as a matter of identity—the kind of leader one chooses to be when faced with difficult and ambiguous choices.

The session offered a realistic perspective on leadership in growth economies, emphasising that ethical dilemmas are not unique to Africa. Rather, leadership in complex contexts demands greater awareness, courage, and clarity of values. Students were reminded that principled leadership is defined not by convenience, but by what leaders are willing to stand for.

Community engagement further enriched the learning experience. As part of the programme, students visited The Academia School of Kibra, where they interacted with students and teachers to better understand the realities shaping education in underserved communities. The visit created space for dialogue, reflection, and mutual learning, reinforcing the idea that businesses operate within broader social systems and that social responsibility is an essential component of effective leadership.

The Nairobi Module also featured robust discussions on entrepreneurship and investment in Africa, including panel sessions that explored opportunities across sectors such as agriculture, energy, food systems, and inclusive finance. Conversations ranged from reducing post-harvest losses and building resilient agricultural systems to developing energy solutions that support economic growth and improved livelihoods. A recurring theme was the continent’s diversity and the importance of designing locally grounded business models, rather than relying on assumptions imported from other markets.

By integrating classroom learning, site visits, industry engagement, and community immersion, the Doing Business in Africa Programme provided participants with a holistic and nuanced understanding of Africa’s business environment. The collaboration between IESE Business School and Strathmore Business School, alongside partnerships with organisations such as Sanergy, Safaricom PLC, and The Academia School of Kibra, exemplifies a learning model that connects theory, practice, and purpose.

As the programme concluded, one message stood out clearly: Africa’s future will be shaped by leaders who understand context, act ethically, and recognise that sustainable business success must go hand in hand with social impact. Through the Nairobi Module, the Doing Business in Africa Programme continues to prepare global leaders who are not only equipped to operate in Africa but also committed to contributing meaningfully to its development journey.

Article by Juliet Hinga