The journey to becoming a transformative leader begins with a single step. For the Cohort six participants of the CEO Apprenticeship Programme (CAP), that step unfolded at Strathmore University Business School (SBS) from September 15 to 18, 2025, during the first session of the knowledge forum.
Over four transformative days, 21 emerging leaders drawn from across Africa embarked on an intensive learning experience designed to shape their leadership philosophies and strategic mindsets. The forum, anchored in the CAP’s experiential learning approach, blended reflection, collaboration, and practical application, preparing participants to navigate the evolving demands of executive leadership.
The week opened with a series of immersive sessions following participants’ psychometric assessments, guiding them through themes such as The Role of the CEO, Strategic Thinking and Planning, Ethical Leadership, Leading Self and Personal Mastery, Africa in the Global Economic Context, Strategic Finance, and Governance and Ethics. Each session invited reflection, self-awareness, and dialogue with the aim of equipping the participants with tools to lead with clarity, purpose, and integrity.
A key highlight of the forum was the launch of Social Economic Impact (SEI) Projects, where participants formed four multidisciplinary teams to design innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges in Tanzania. Focused on sustainability and measurable impact, the SEI projects encourage participants to translate learning into action — demonstrating that leadership is not just about vision, but about creating value for communities and society at large.
True to the CAP spirit, learning extended far beyond the classroom. Participants engaged in dynamic discussions, research analyses, and collaborative exercises that challenged them to think critically, question assumptions, and lead with empathy. This holistic approach — combining individual mastery with collective wisdom — fostered an atmosphere of curiosity and growth.
The cohort’s rich participant mix was reflected in its diverse sectoral representation, spanning banking and financial services, manufacturing, oil and gas, corporate management, power, and media and telecommunications. With participants ranging from CEOs and directors to department heads and senior managers, the forum became a vibrant space for knowledge exchange and peer mentorship. This diversity broadened perspectives and reinforced one of CAP’s core principles — that leadership excellence thrives on collaboration across industries and experiences.
By the close of the forum, participants carried with them more than insights; they left with a renewed sense of purpose. They had discovered that leadership is as much about self-awareness as it is about strategy — and that innovation, ethics, and collaboration remain timeless pillars of impact.
As the participants continue their year-long journey, the lessons from Knowledge Forum 1 will serve as their compass; guiding them to lead boldly, think strategically, and shape organisations and communities that thrive.
The CEO Apprentice Programme (CAP) is offered by SBS in partnership with the CEO Roundtable Tanzania (CEOrt). It is designed for top and experienced leaders from both public and private sectors and who are looking to move into senior management. This 12-month programme aims to train the next crop of competent and experienced leaders ready to take on CEO and other top leadership positions.
Article by Juliet Hinga
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Your journey to business excellence starts here. Subscribe today and be at the forefront of innovation and leadership.
“Every crash has a ripple effect”: Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) Hosts BIGRS Dissemination Workshop on Seat Belt and Child Restraint Usage in Kenya“Every crash has a ripple effect”: Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM) Hosts BIGRS Dissemination Workshop on Seat Belt and Child Restraint Usage in Kenya
