Sometimes, a good business school can make the difference between a struggling entrepreneur and a successful one. Deciding whether to go back to school for a Master in Business Administration (MBA) or even a Master in Finance, can be a tough decision to make. Even more, choosing the right school to attend can be overwhelming. Therefore, in this post, we’re going to go through a list of the top business schools in Africa for the ambitious entrepreneur. But first, let’s look at some of the reasons why a business school might be a great option for you.
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Reasons To Attend Business School
Pursuing an education in business is a major commitment. You need to know why you are doing it and to fully grasp how, if at all, it will further your career. If you are reading this, you might be considering attending business school. However, if you aren’t entirely sure that it’s the right choice for you, we can help you out. Here are some important reasons why business school is a good idea:
- It can improve your employability: There are certainly broad ranges of business degrees you could get. However, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains one of the most highly sought-after degrees. MBA degree holders are actually in high demand by many high-profile companies around Africa and the rest of the world. No matter what your first-degree was, an MBA might be a good option if you want to increase your chances of landing a great job in the corporate world.
- It’s useful if you want to become an entrepreneur: a degree in business can equip you with the problem-solving skills needed to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship. It can also help to gain new perspectives on the world. In addition, you get to absorb leadership skills that will help you grow your business.
- Networking: A business school provides you with a broad network of classmates, business-owners, lecturers, and high-flying alumni. These individuals can be a great source of mentorship. They can also serve as a great source for career opportunities when it comes to job-hunting. Additionally, your network offers you a diverse worldview, something that is invaluable in the world of business.
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Now, we proceed to our list of top 10 business schools in Africa!
Top 10 Business Schools In Africa
1. Lagos Business School (LBS) – Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria
The Lagos Business School’s MBA program, established in 2003, is ranked by CEO magazine as Tier One in 2020. It’s a full-time MBA, which runs for 18 months along with a three-month internship.
The program is basically for professionals with a minimum of three years’ work experience. And, another exciting aspect is that students can do an exchange program abroad to widen their international reach and perspective. Additionally, LBS is the only business school in Africa to be included in The Economist 2020 Executive MBA Ranking.
2. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) – University of Pretoria, South-Africa
University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science was founded in 2000 in Johannesburg. Johannesburg, meanwhile, happens to be one of the largest economic hot spots of South Africa. The city also possesses the greatest number of major corporate headquarters compared to anywhere else in Africa.
GIBS earned the AACSB International accreditation in 2016 and also has AMBA accreditation. GIBS is a huge draw for business-degree seekers who are interested in gaining a quality education while maximising their professional network.
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3. Strathmore Business School – Strathmore University, Kenya
Strathmore Business School located in Nairobi, Kenya, is the graduate business school of Strathmore University and is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS. It was established in 2005 through a collaboration between Strathmore University and IESE Business School. IESE Business School happens to be one of Spain’s top institutions.
Strathmore offers MBA, other postgraduate, and several executive education programs. Furthermore, it opened a new campus in 2012, which won an award for being the best green building development in Africa.
4. Henley Business School – South Africa
In an international sense, Henley is one of Britain’s top business institutions. It is triple accredited by AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. It also has prominent rankings in the world’s most respected financial publications, including the Financial Times and The Economist.
Henley’s South Africa campus was fully established in Johannesburg in 2002. It offers a part-time MBA as well as MBAs centred around the creative and music industries.
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5. The American University In Cairo (AUC) School Of Business – Egypt
Although a business school, the AUC school of business is world-renowned for its emphasis on innovation, technology, and engineering. Like Henley, it is triple-accredited. Also, it’s executive education diplomas are the only open-enrolment programs the Financial Times has ranked within the region.
6. ESCA Ecole de Management – Morocco
Located in the famous city of Casablanca, Morocco, ESCA Ecole de Management, was founded in 1992. Along with numerous accreditations, including one from AACSB, this business school has an extensive alumni base of graduates. And, it offers a respected full-time MBA.
Every year, the business school trains around 1100 executives and managers of over 30 nationalities. Also, Jeune Afrique ranked ESCA Ecole de Management amongst the best business schools in French-speaking Africa.
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7. Graduate School Of Business – University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa
One of the many strengths of this business school is that MBA students can choose from 41 different global exchange programs that extend even beyond Africa.
UCT’s business school is also AACSB-accredited. And its programs place emphasis on the application of academic theory to the real business world. Given that it’s situated in Cape Town, one of South Africa’s financial centres, there is a surplus of opportunities to learn.
8. University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) – South Africa
If you’re interested in becoming a leader in the business world, check out the USB’s MBA program. It’s AACSB-accredited and optimised for leadership development. It also offers instruction that will look fantastic when applying for managerial positions.
Furthermore, the MBA offered is only 1 year long, which works great if you are trying to cut tuition costs. Additionally, every student gets to participate in a leadership development program, tailored to their professional goals and centred on “learning by doing”.
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9. Wits Business School (WBS) – University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Alumni of WBS include high-profile CEOs and tech-finance players based in South Africa and across the rest of the world. Like Henley, this school was established in the economic hub of Johannesburg.
If you are looking to build your business network during your time in business school, WBS is a great place to do so. With an alumni network of more than 10,000, grown from 1968, opportunities for mentorship abound.
10. Milpark Business School – Milpark Education, South Africa
Milpark business school is based in South Africa, Cape Town. Interestingly, it is the only school on this list that is known for its strong distance learning program! With undergraduate degrees, MBAs, and corporate training on offer, Milpark is a fantastic idea for anyone who requires flexibility. Furthermore, Milpark Business School is also accredited by AMBA.
A lot of its courses place special focus on business ethics, environmental sustainability, and responsibility. Their programs also explore the ways leadership in business plays out in a wide range of fields.
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There you have it! In this article, we discussed some of the major reasons to attend a business school. We then went on to explore the offerings of the top 10 business schools in Africa.
For those of you who are passionate about business, which of these schools are most appealing? And, are you more inspired to continue your education?
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