Top 10 MBA Programs in Africa

Africa is one of the world’s most promising business education destinations for the future. There are a plethora of established business schools across the continent, in South Africa, the Maghreb, Nigeria and Kenya. There are also new schools entering the market, including some in places like Rwanda. 

Western business schools, keen to capitalize on the growing interest, can hear the call of Africa. HEC Paris, for example, has established a regional office in Ivory Coast. And Asian schools, too, see the appeal, with China Europe International Business School of Shanghai having set up an operation in Ghana. 

The middle class is growing in Africa and is interested in the international exposure a foreign school could provide, without the sky-high fees of studying abroad. 

Cost of tuition is, for the most part, far lower in Africa than in other places; and living and other costs are relatively cheap, too, compared with the west. Also, local courses provide relevant expertise and local networks, with African business schools striving to use more Africa-focused case studies in teaching, building deeper research expertise, and attracting experienced and qualified faculty. 

Overall, the future looks bright for African MBAs, and we’ve ranked the best of them below.

Lagos, Nigeria 9 Followers 2 Discussions

Lagos Business School joined the world’s elite last year when its full-time MBA program in Nigeria was accredited by AMBA, one of the leading authorities on business education. It was also the first school in the region to receive AACSB accreditation. The school was also ranked by CEO Magazine as having a Tier One MBA program. It’s full-time MBA, established in 2003, is for professionals with a minimum of three years’ work experience. The program runs for 18 months and includes a three-month internship. Students can also do an exchange program abroad. Additionally, the school's Executive MBA program is currently ranked in The Economist.

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Johannesburg, South Africa 26 Followers 7 Discussions

The University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science earned AACSB International accredited in 2016 and has AMBA accreditation, too. Founded in 2000, the school is based in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub. With the largest concentration of major corporate headquarters of anywhere in Africa, Johannesburg is a major draw for those seeking global business careers. 

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Cairo, Egypt 66 Followers 38 Discussions
AUC

The American University in Cairo School of Business is one of Africa’s most qualified business schools. It has achieved the “triple crown” accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. In 2009 the school rebranded to create an environment that nurtures global business leaders and entrepreneurs. It is renowned for its focus on innovation and technology.  

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Nairobi, Kenya 2 Followers 0 Discussions

Strathmore Business School based in Nairobi, Kenya, was established in 2005 through a partnership with Strathmore University and IESE Business School, one of Spain’s top institutions. It opened a new campus in 2012, a beautiful building that won in 2012 an award for being the best green building development in Africa. The school is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS. 

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Johannesburg, South Africa 4 Followers 1 Discussion

Henley is one of Britain’s best business schools, which is triple accredited and ranked by the world’s most prestigious business publications, including The Economist and the Financial Times. Henley has had a campus in Johannesburg for many years, where it runs a part-time MBA, plus an MBA focused on the creative and music industries. 

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Cape Town, South Africa 30 Followers 32 Discussions

MBA students can go on 41 different global exchange programs, offering a truly global experience that goes far beyond the Africa continent. What’s more, the AACSB-accredited school focuses on applying academic theory to the real business world, which is made easier given its location in Cape Town, which is regarded as South Africa’s financial center. 

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Bellville, South Africa 16 Followers 10 Discussions

The school’s MBA, AACSB-accredited, focuses on leadership development, something that organizations will covet in managers. Each MBA student embarks on a bespoke leadership development journey, tailored to their needs through experiential learning, or learning by doing. The one-year course also means the opportunity cost is relatively low. So there are plenty of reasons to consider Stellenbosch for your MBA

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Casablanca, Morocco 1 Follower 0 Discussions

ESCA Ecole de Management, in Morocco, has a wealth of accreditations including from AACSB. Established in 1992, it has an impressive alumni base of graduates from its pool of 17 national and international programs, including a well-regarded, full-time MBA. The school is ranked by the international rating agency Eduniversal and appears in the Jeune Afrique ranking of the best business schools in French-speaking Africa. 

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Johannesburg, South Africa 21 Followers 7 Discussions

Established in 1968 and accredited by AMBA, the school is based in the business hub Johannesburg. Its long history has given the school an enviable alumni network of more than 10,000, including CEOs of major corporates and successful technology entrepreneurs, not just in South Africa but spread across the globe. 

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Cape Town, South Africa 9 Followers 2 Discussions

This year Milpark Business School joined a small group of other schools in South Africa that are accredited by AMBA. The digital degree is offered through distance leaning over two-to -five years. The school’s MBA focuses on business ethics, social responsibility and the environment, as well as the basics of management and a broad range of other subjects. 

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