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    Senior Executive Program—Africa

    Senior Executive Program—Africa
    • Dates: TBD
    • Format: Blended Blended programs combine both in-person and virtual learning.
    • Location: Virtual, HBS Campus
    • Fee: TBD
      • The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.
    Darshan Chandaria

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

    Darshan Chandaria
    Director and Group CEO, Chandaria, Kenya
    Read His Story
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Chelsea Schwerin
    Manager, Program Advising
    Email: cschwerin@hbs.edu
    Darshan Chandaria

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

    Darshan Chandaria
    Director and Group CEO, Chandaria, Kenya
    Read His Story
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Chelsea Schwerin
    Manager, Program Advising
    Email: cschwerin@hbs.edu
    Program Announcement
    The information below is based on the program offered in NOV 2020, and does not reflect potential changes to faculty and course content for future program offerings. For a list of upcoming programs, visit our program finder.

    Summary

    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. 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.

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    Summary

    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. 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.

    Key Benefits

    Featuring an interactive virtual 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 in local markets, regional markets, and across Africa.

    • 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
    • Build a sustainable, accountable organization with greater transparency and stronger governance
    • Develop enduring bonds with accomplished peers from across the African continent
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    Key Benefits

    Featuring an interactive virtual 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 in local markets, regional markets, and across Africa.

    • 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
    • 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
    Play video
    Play video
    Inside the Classroom
    See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
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    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
    Play video
    Play video
    Inside the Classroom
    See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    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 on the HBS campus with highly interactive virtual modules. The blended format provides opportunities to apply new skills and frameworks in your organization during the program.
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    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.

    Blended Learning and Living at HBS Dropdown down

    Blended Learning and Living at HBS Dropdown down

    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 on the HBS campus with highly interactive virtual modules. The blended format provides opportunities to apply new skills and frameworks in your organization during the program.
    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.
    Read More
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    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. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals 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 Dropdown down

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    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. No payment is necessary until you have been accepted. Payment is required prior to the program start date. If you need to cancel or defer participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellations or deferrals 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.