European Business Schools Expand into Africa to Foster Entrepreneurship

European business schools are leveraging their expertise to support African entrepreneurs and bridge the gap in education, financing, and mentorship.

African entrepreneurs face numerous challenges that hinder their growth, including limited access to education, financing, and mentorship. However, European business schools are stepping up to address these obstacles and foster entrepreneurship in Africa. By offering tailor-made entrepreneurship programs and expanding their presence on the continent, these schools aim to cultivate a new generation of African entrepreneurs. This article explores the efforts of European business schools, such as HEC Paris and Henley Business School, in supporting African entrepreneurs and driving economic growth in the region.

HEC Paris: Empowering African Entrepreneurs
HEC Paris, a renowned business school, has been present in Africa since 2007. In 2018, the school established a permanent office in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and expanded its activities in the region. HEC Paris partnered with the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INP-HB) to establish a Master in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast’s administrative capital. This 18-month program aims to equip African entrepreneurs with practical skills and experiences. One of the program’s first students, Amon Hugues-Michel Amon, plans to address the energy transition challenge in West Africa by creating a regulatory body for solar panel installations.

HEC Paris plans to support 1,000 business projects through entrepreneurship programs in Africa over the next five years. Philippe Oster, HEC’s director of international affairs, highlights the need to create sustainable businesses that generate value and employment opportunities in Africa. The continent’s youthful population and rapidly urbanizing economies present a significant potential for growth and innovation.

European Institutions Filling the Gap
While local business schools in Africa cater to the increasing demand for business education, provision from globally ranked schools on the continent remains limited. Recognizing this gap, European institutions, as well as US and Chinese business schools, are entering the African market. For example, China Europe International Business School (Ceibs) has established a base in Ghana, and Duke University Fuqua School of Business offers executive education programs. European institutions collaborate with African universities to deliver degree programs, short courses, workshops, and mentorship initiatives.

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, in partnership with the Université Protestante au Congo in Kinshasa, delivers an MBA program for executives with a growing focus on entrepreneurship. Germany’s Henley Business School provides entrepreneurial training in smaller forms and at different levels, including short certificate courses. These efforts aim to cater to the diverse needs and contexts of African markets while ensuring affordability and accessibility.

Building Networks and Partnerships
European business schools not only provide education but also bring global networks and partnerships that help African entrepreneurs expand their businesses beyond national borders. Brian Gregory, a senior teaching fellow at Lancaster University Management School, assists students at the American University in Cairo in establishing networks in Europe. He plans to expand the Entrepreneurs in Residence network to Ghana, recognizing the importance of global connections in entrepreneurial success.

Challenges and the Path Forward
European business schools face challenges in adapting their programs to the unique needs and contexts of African markets. Affordability and accessibility are crucial considerations in a continent with significant poverty and economic disparities. Adeyinka Adewale, associate professor of leadership ethics and entrepreneurship at Henley Business School, emphasizes the need to understand the local context and avoid a “savior mentality.” European schools collaborate with local business schools, incubators, accelerators, and established entrepreneurs to create an ecosystem that facilitates the exchange of ideas, connections, and access to potential investors.

Conclusion:

European business schools are playing a crucial role in fostering entrepreneurship in Africa. By offering tailor-made programs, expanding their presence on the continent, and collaborating with local institutions, these schools are empowering African entrepreneurs and driving economic growth. The potential for businesses to create jobs, drive innovation, and reduce unemployment in Africa is immense. As European business schools continue to support and invest in African entrepreneurship, the continent’s future as a hub for innovation and economic development looks promising.