Why you should consider an MBA in Africa
Getting your MBA in Africa is investing in your business skills.
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Africa
Why you should consider an MBA in Africa
Pursuing an MBA program in Africa offers an exhilarating opportunity for aspiring MBA candidates. African countries like Mozambique and Libya are amongst the fastest-growing economies. Despite the challenges faced by parts of the continent, there is a strong foundation for optimism that Africa is poised for more economic growth in the coming years, potentially mirroring Asia’s remarkable development trajectory.
We’re now starting to see a new generation of African business schools making their mark globally. University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business, renowned for its long-standing tradition of business education excellence, made it into the top three of QS Global MBA Rankings: Middle East & Africa 2024 and ranked in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking.
Additionally, a new generation of African business schools, like Gordon Institute of Business Science GIBS, ALU School of Business, and Lagos Business School, are making their mark globally.
The rise of these business schools reflects the increasing commitment to enhancing higher education across Africa, a crucial step to meet the demands of its young populations. Africa is expected to become the largest workforce in the world by 2040, with 1.1 billion people. As its population grows, so does the need for business leaders with the skills, knowledge, and experience to help drive the economic empowerment of the continent. Are you up for the challenge?
Reasons to study your MBA in Africa
- Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
- African business schools have a growing global reputation, yet the cost of an MBA program remains significantly lower on the continent than in other regions.
- The continent has an incredibly rich animal, plant, and marine biodiversity.
- The continent has an incredibly rich animal, plant, and marine biodiversity. With between 1000 and 2000 spoken languages, Africa is one of the most linguistically diverse regions on the planet.
- Africa has a spectacular and wide-ranging geography, including the longest river (Nile) and the world's biggest desert (Sahara).
5 things you should know about studying in Africa
How much will it cost to study in Africa?
Typically, studying for an MBA in Africa is more affordable than in other continents.
For example, for international students, the MBA program at UCT GSB costs about $37,860. Citizens and permanent residents should expect to pay around $19,364.
How reputable are the business schools in Africa?
South Africa and Egypt house most of the continent’s top-ranked institutions. Lagos Business School in Nigeria ranked in the Executive Education Open 2023 rankings. UCT GSB ranked in the Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking.
International connections are a vital part of Africa’s sharpened focus on education. For example, the prestigious business schools CEIBS and ESSEC have international campuses in Ghana and Morocco.
What is the status of the economy?
Despite a rapidly expanding economy, African graduates still face a challenging job market with high unemployment rates. The region has a GDP per capita of about $2,000. The largest economies in Africa, based on the nominal GDP, are Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Are there a lot of international students in Africa?
South Africa is the most popular destination for international students in Africa. The majority of international students are from other African countries. Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda are all attracting increasing numbers of international students.
Which languages are spoken in Africa?
Although thousands of local languages and dialects are spoken in Africa, the most popular languages are Arabic, English, Swahili, and French. As the official language of 23 countries, there is a wide variety of English-taught courses in Africa.
Most popular study destinations
Countries in Africa
Featured School
CEIBS
China, Ghana, Switzerland
Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Accra, Zurich
Featured School
Stellenbosch Business School
South Africa
Cape Town
Featured School
ESSEC Business School
France, Singapore, Morocco
Cergy-Pontoise, Paris, Singapore, Rabat
Business School Netherlands (BSN)
Netherlands, Suriname, Czech Republic, China, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt
Buren, Beijing, Shanghai, Paramaribo
GIBS – University of Pretoria
South Africa
Johannesburg
ESLSCA Business School
Egypt
Caïro
ALU School of Business
Rwanda
Kigali
Lagos Business School
Nigeria
Lagos
Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
South Africa
Johannesburg
What is an MBA?
A Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a prestigious postgraduate degree in business management and leadership. It equips individuals with essential skills and knowledge in finance, marketing, strategy, and operations, preparing them for advanced career opportunities in various industries.
While a general master’s program might be more theoretical or specialized in a particular field, an MBA is distinct for its business-centric curriculum and practical approach to handling real-world business scenarios. There are also a growing number of specialized MBA programs tailored to specific career goals. Explore our articles for intriguing offerings like dual-degree programs or MBA specializations.
The value of an MBA is often reflected in enhanced career prospects, higher earning potential, and a robust professional network. Delve into success stories from INSEAD MBA graduates and others to explore the tangible and intangible returns an MBA could offer.