African countries face a distinct set of social, economic, and political conditions that create unique business challenges—along with exciting opportunities. To gain a competitive advantage, businesses across the continent need exceptional, confident leaders who are fully conversant with what it takes to do business in today's digital era. This program prepares you to expand your leadership skills as well as your knowledge of local, regional, and global markets. By improving your ability to design and execute winning strategies, deliver innovative offerings, nurture high-performance teams, and navigate rapid change, you will be ready to help your company drive growth in Africa's dynamic markets.

HBS offers this program in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) of the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Summary

HBS offers this program in partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) of the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

Key Benefits

Featuring a regional in-person module, an independent work module, and an in-person module on the HBS campus, this program enables rapidly growing organizations to drive business momentum through more effective leadership. By gaining deeper insight into the best practices of successful business leaders, you will be better equipped to lead effectively and help your organization achieve ambitious goals.

Design an effective strategy for business growth in an African context—within your country or across borders
Differentiate your offerings and deliver more value to customers
Implement changes that align your organization for optimal execution
Improve your organization's ability to innovate, including creating new digital processes and offerings
Build a sustainable, accountable organization with greater transparency and stronger governance
Develop enduring bonds with accomplished peers from across the African continent

Key Benefits: Featuring a regional in-person module, an independent work module, and an in-person module on the HBS campus, this program enables rapidly growing organizations to drive business momentum through more effective leadership. By gaining deeper insight into the best practices of successful business leaders, you will be better equipped to lead effectively and help your organization achieve ambitious goals.

Design an effective strategy for business growth in an African context—within your country or across borders

Differentiate your offerings and deliver more value to customers

Implement changes that align your organization for optimal execution

Improve your organization's ability to innovate, including creating new digital processes and offerings

Build a sustainable, accountable organization with greater transparency and stronger governance

Develop enduring bonds with accomplished peers from across the African continent

Who Should Attend

Experienced senior executives in African companies who have significant responsibility in strategic decision-making.

Participants typically represent growth-oriented organizations, including:

Established private or state-owned companies
Local, multinational, or pan-African businesses
Growing family businesses
Nonprofit organizations
Government agencies, especially those working closely with the private sector

Participants might include CEOs, CFOs, business line heads, or other senior members of a company's executive team, as well as directors general of government agencies.

A limited amount of partial scholarship funding may be available for qualified applicants from not-for-profit organizations. Please include a request for funding in your application.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 10 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Who Should Attend

Experienced senior executives in African companies who have significant responsibility in strategic decision-making.

Participants typically represent growth-oriented organizations, including:

Established private or state-owned companies
Local, multinational, or pan-African businesses
Growing family businesses
Nonprofit organizations
Government agencies, especially those working closely with the private sector

Participants might include CEOs, CFOs, business line heads, or other senior members of a company's executive team, as well as directors general of government agencies.

A limited amount of partial scholarship funding may be available for qualified applicants from not-for-profit organizations. Please include a request for funding in your application.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 10 PLDA Points on completion of this program.

Dive Deeper into the Experience

See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.

Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.

Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.

Blended Learning and Living at HBS

When you participate in a blended Executive Education program at Harvard Business School, you get the best of both worlds—a powerful learning experience that combines highly immersive in-person modules in a regional location and on the HBS campus with an interactive self-paced virtual module. The blended format provides opportunities to apply new skills and frameworks in your organization during the program.

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Blended Learning and Living at HBS

Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

Both case-based formats are led by HBS faculty, who share their latest research and engage you in a dynamic exchange of ideas with a global community of peers. Each module is carefully designed to maximize the impact, enable immediate application, and accelerate leadership growth.

Admissions Criteria and Process

We admit candidates to specific sessions on a rolling, space-available basis, and encourage you to apply as early as possible. Although this program has no formal educational requirements, admission is a selective process based on your professional achievement and organizational responsibilities.

The Application Process

We select applicants who embrace challenge, seek genuine personal and professional growth, and are ready to innovate—in themselves and in their organizations. The curious, open-minded executive who commits wholeheartedly to the program will find the Senior Executive Program—Africa to be a highly stimulating, rewarding—even life-changing experience.

To apply, you will submit:

The application, telling us about your experience, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges
A letter of reference from someone familiar with your work

To review both the application and letter of reference, download the Application PDF. You can submit your application via our online Application Form or by returning a completed PDF. When submitting the online application form, you will be asked for the email address of the individual serving as your reference. That individual will receive an email with a link to an online letter of reference form.

Answering Your Questions

Our Program Advising team can help you at any stage of the admissions process—starting with identifying the program that best addresses your learning and development goals. Contact a program advisor via email or call 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555).

Letter of Reference

To gain a deeper understanding of your background and your potential as a leader, we require a letter of reference from a senior executive within your organization, a board member, or an HBS graduate familiar with your role and responsibilities. To submit the letter, follow the instructions in your application.

Application Submission

We recommend that you apply as soon as you can, and at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

English Proficiency

Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential for active participation in fast-moving classes and small group discussions. If English is your second language, or if you have less than one year of experience working in an English-speaking environment, please provide a brief statement documenting your proficiency. We may also ask for an interview.

Learning Commitment

Residency is required for in-person modules and attendance of live synchronous sessions is expected. Your active participation in all classroom sessions, case discussions, and other program activities is essential, so you must be free of other responsibilities during the program.

Application Review

To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

Admissions Criteria and Process

The Application Process

To apply, you will submit:

The application, telling us about your experience, your organization, and your current responsibilities, goals, and challenges
A letter of reference from someone familiar with your work

Answering Your Questions

Letter of Reference

Application Submission

English Proficiency

Learning Commitment

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

The Senior Executive Program—Africa is designed to help you grow as a leader while minimizing time away from work. Emphasizing business challenges of greatest relevance to leaders in African markets, the curriculum examines the real-life experiences of executives from Africa and around the world to illuminate best practices in management and leadership.

Participants should expect to spend at least 30-35 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending Module 1 of the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.

What You Will Learn

Program Format

The program includes three modules over five months. The intensive in-person Module 1 takes place at a different site within Africa each year, and includes a focus on strategy, innovation, and leadership through networking, faculty presentations, and simulations. During Module 2, you will address an important business challenge facing your organization and hone your problem-solving skills. This time back at your organization also provides the opportunity to begin incorporating new strategies and tactics immediately.

The intensive in-person Module 3 on the HBS campus combine case studies, presentations from both HBS faculty and Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) faculty, dynamic classroom discussions, small group exercises, and guest speakers. Throughout the program, you will also have ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups.

Program Format

Module DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership

Format: In-Person, at a location in Africa

Business success begins with a sound strategy—one based on a clear-sighted understanding of your firm's capabilities and competitive dynamics. This module will focus on the changing nature of doing business in the digital era and how to innovate with digital strategies in mind. You will learn how companies deliver value to their customers and evolve their offerings to sustain competitive advantage. As you discover new ways to revitalize your strategy, you will explore approaches for creating a new digital business, disrupting your current business with digital strategies, and refreshing and reinventing the business you started with. You will also learn how to evolve your leadership style in ways that enhance your organization's success. Other key topics include:

Creating superior customer value
Choosing your market position
Designing corporate strategy in a multi-business organization
Crafting digital strategies
Aligning product and service innovation plans with business strategy
Building and leading high-performance teams
Understanding leadership within an African context
Maximizing the contributions of top talent

Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project

Format: Self-Paced, at home and in your workplace

During this module, you will:

Complete an online course, Design Thinking and Innovation. In this course, you will learn how to leverage fundamental design thinking principles and innovative problem-solving tools to address business challenges and build products, strategies, teams, and environments for optimal use and performance. The take-aways from this course will help you in your Big Business Challenge Project.
Work on your Big Business Challenge Project. Before attending Module 1, you should identify a business challenge faced by your organization, such as market evolution, problems with your business strategy, or executional difficulties. (Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive information to help you select your challenge.) During Module 2, you will work to develop a plan to address this challenge. A project reviewer is available to help you strengthen your plan.
Apply program learning in your workplace. Test new leadership and business management knowledge acquired during Module 1, reflect on the results, and gather insights and questions to share with faculty and peers.

Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success

Format: In-Person, HBS Campus, Boston, U.S.

Convening with peers and faculty in Boston, you will examine a new realm of leadership topics and gain a deeper understanding of the connections among businesses, governments, and the international economy. Key topics include:

Competing in the global economy and understanding trends that will impact African businesses
Choosing an optimal path for growth
Recognizing and addressing institutional voids
Serving the bottom of the pyramid in diverse African markets
Building effective partnerships and financing major projects
Creating a sustainable organization through improved approaches to governance and leadership development
Measuring and communicating performance
Navigating corporate finance and expanding your knowledge of financial markets, institutions, and instruments
Connecting with consumers by leveraging the power of marketing

During Module 3, you will also present the results of your Big Business Challenge Project to faculty and peers, using their feedback to refine your action plan and prepare to execute it.

Module Details

Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership

Format: In-Person, at a location in Africa

Creating superior customer value
Choosing your market position
Designing corporate strategy in a multi-business organization
Crafting digital strategies
Aligning product and service innovation plans with business strategy
Building and leading high-performance teams
Understanding leadership within an African context
Maximizing the contributions of top talent

Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project

Format: Self-Paced, at home and in your workplace

During this module, you will:

Complete an online course, Design Thinking and Innovation. In this course, you will learn how to leverage fundamental design thinking principles and innovative problem-solving tools to address business challenges and build products, strategies, teams, and environments for optimal use and performance. The take-aways from this course will help you in your Big Business Challenge Project.
Work on your Big Business Challenge Project. Before attending Module 1, you should identify a business challenge faced by your organization, such as market evolution, problems with your business strategy, or executional difficulties. (Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive information to help you select your challenge.) During Module 2, you will work to develop a plan to address this challenge. A project reviewer is available to help you strengthen your plan.
Apply program learning in your workplace. Test new leadership and business management knowledge acquired during Module 1, reflect on the results, and gather insights and questions to share with faculty and peers.

Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success

Format: In-Person, HBS Campus, Boston, U.S.

Competing in the global economy and understanding trends that will impact African businesses
Choosing an optimal path for growth
Recognizing and addressing institutional voids
Serving the bottom of the pyramid in diverse African markets
Building effective partnerships and financing major projects
Creating a sustainable organization through improved approaches to governance and leadership development
Measuring and communicating performance
Navigating corporate finance and expanding your knowledge of financial markets, institutions, and instruments
Connecting with consumers by leveraging the power of marketing

During Module 3, you will also present the results of your Big Business Challenge Project to faculty and peers, using their feedback to refine your action plan and prepare to execute it.

Special Program FeaturesExpand All Collapse All

Living/discussion group work Living/discussion group work

A multi-module program creates the opportunity to build close, trusting relationships with a small group of peer executives who can understand your challenges—but are not part of your organization. Throughout the program, you will work with a small group of peers who will stimulate your learning as you:

Absorb global insights by working with executives from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds
Share diverse perspectives as you discuss cases and assignments
Complete small group exercises as a team
Give and receive feedback and advice—personal and professional—in a safe environment

While on the HBS campus in Boston, you will also share common space with your living/discussion group, forging relationships that serve as a valuable source of peer feedback, support, and advice.

Business Challenge Project Business Challenge Project

You will work on a practical plan for addressing a major business challenge confronting your organization. This exercise will enable you to:

Transform your learning into meaningful action for your business
Improve your skills at articulating an issue to peers and soliciting their input
Identify and prepare for potential roadblocks and leadership challenges that may arise as you work to implement your plan
Learn a methodology that will help you address future challenges faced by your organization

Ongoing support and networking Ongoing support and networking

Your connection to HBS will continue long after the program ends, providing exclusive access to information that can help you continue to develop as a leader, expand your network, and sustain your company's success. Upon completion of the program, you will receive:

A complimentary subscription to Harvard Business Review
Membership in HBS online communities through which you can exchange business ideas
Periodic emails from HBS Working Knowledge, offering you a first look at cutting-edge thinking from HBS faculty
Certificate of completion from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Senior Executive Leadership Program—Africa

Special Program Features

Living/discussion group work

Absorb global insights by working with executives from different countries, cultures, and professional backgrounds
Share diverse perspectives as you discuss cases and assignments
Complete small group exercises as a team
Give and receive feedback and advice—personal and professional—in a safe environment

While on the HBS campus in Boston, you will also share common space with your living/discussion group, forging relationships that serve as a valuable source of peer feedback, support, and advice.

Business Challenge Project

You will work on a practical plan for addressing a major business challenge confronting your organization. This exercise will enable you to:

Transform your learning into meaningful action for your business
Improve your skills at articulating an issue to peers and soliciting their input
Identify and prepare for potential roadblocks and leadership challenges that may arise as you work to implement your plan
Learn a methodology that will help you address future challenges faced by your organization

Ongoing support and networking

A complimentary subscription to Harvard Business Review
Membership in HBS online communities through which you can exchange business ideas
Periodic emails from HBS Working Knowledge, offering you a first look at cutting-edge thinking from HBS faculty
Certificate of completion from the Harvard Business School Executive Education Senior Executive Leadership Program—Africa

The HBS Advantage

HBS Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

In the Senior Executive Program—Africa, HBS faculty teach alongside top African faculty who are deeply immersed in African business practices, enabling participants to benefit from a wide range of African and global business insights and best practices.

Faculty Cochairs

Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

Herman C. Krannert Professor of Business Administration

HBS Unit:

Strategy

Programs for Individuals

Comprehensive Leadership Programs

Topic-Focused Programs

Regional Programs

Virtual Programs

Certificate of Management Excellence

Corporate Director Certificate

Digital Transformation Certificate

Programs for Organizations

HBS Experience

The Value

The Learning Experience

The Virtual Experience

Alumni Network

Admitted? Plan Your Stay

Insights

Faculty

Admissions

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Process

International Applicants

Payment, Cancellation, and Deferral

Already Admitted

Participant Stories

Senior Executive Program—Africa

"I am now able to consider outcomes through a clearly articulated and structured process."

"I am now able to consider outcomes through a clearly articulated and structured process."

"For me, the big takeaway revolved around the technique and science of innovation."

"For me, the big takeaway revolved around the technique and science of innovation."

"One thing that stood out was revisiting strategy. Looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes was interesting."

"One thing that stood out was revisiting strategy. Looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes was interesting."

Summary

Summary

Key Benefits

Key Benefits

Who Should Attend

Who Should Attend

Blended Learning and Living at HBS

Admissions Criteria and Process

The Application Process

To apply, you will submit:

Answering Your Questions

Letter of Reference

Application Submission

English Proficiency

Learning Commitment

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

The Application Process

To apply, you will submit:

Answering Your Questions

Letter of Reference

Application Submission

English Proficiency

Learning Commitment

Application Review

Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

What You Will Learn

What You Will Learn

Program Format

Program Format

Module DetailsExpand AllCollapse All

Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadershipModule 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership Dropdown down

Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge ProjectModule 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project Dropdown down

Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining successModule 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success Dropdown down

Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership

Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project

Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success

Special Program FeaturesExpand AllCollapse All

Living/discussion group workLiving/discussion group work Dropdown down

Business Challenge ProjectBusiness Challenge Project Dropdown down

Ongoing support and networkingOngoing support and networking Dropdown down

Living/discussion group work

Business Challenge Project

Ongoing support and networking

The HBS Advantage

The HBS Advantage

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Your Peers Expand Your Learning

Module DetailsExpand All Collapse All

Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership Module 1: Strategy, digital innovation, and leadership

Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project Module 2: Independent learning and work on Big Business Challenge Project

Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success Module 3: Thinking globally, driving local and regional growth, and sustaining success

Special Program FeaturesExpand All Collapse All

Living/discussion group work Living/discussion group work

Business Challenge Project Business Challenge Project

Ongoing support and networking Ongoing support and networking