A Business Schools is eligible for membership if it is an Africa - based business school that meets all the non negotiable criteria and satisfies the committee in respect of the other criteria.

Negotiable criteria may be interpreted flexibly and as a whole, to meet the spirit of the requirement rather than the letter.

 Schools which do not yet meet one of the negotiable criteria may provisionally be admitted to full membership if they submit a plan to meet the requirements within not more than two years.

1.     Staff:

1.1. Applicants must have a minimum of 12 permanent resident full-time faculty members, with relevant postgraduate degrees or qualifications. Up to six of the 12 full time faculty may be shared with other departments in the parent institution provided that at least 50% of their workload is allocated to the Business School. (Non Negotiable criteria)

1.2. At least six permanent full time faculty members must have Doctoral Degrees.  (Non Negotiable criteria)

1.3. Applicants must demonstrate a sustainable staff development programme by providing a document describing faculty development.

2.     Intellectual Contributions:

2.1. Each institution must have an output of two points per full time faculty equivalent during the three preceding years. Points to be calculated as:  book - 2 points, refereed article - 2 points, case study or practitioner article - 1 point, chapter in a book - 1 point and conference paper – 1 point.

3.     Teaching Requirements:

3.1. Applicants must have at least 500 hours classroom time in the MBA or equivalent Masters Programme. (Non Negotiable criteria)

Distance learning institutions must demonstrate that students engage in activities equivalent to 500 hours of classroom time in the MBA or equivalent masters program.  This can be done through:

·       regular scheduled contact,  either face to face,  or by electronic media with faculty members.

·       required study schools throughout the course of the year

·       Study groups of students meeting according to a prescribed timetable during the course of a year

·       assignments which require students to engage in the application of the material in the workplace, including engaging with executives and colleagues. (Non Negotiable Criteria) Please provide this information in a word document.

3.2. Applicants must provide a document describing their teaching methods, illustrating the use of participative learning, for example through the use of case studies, syndicate groups, action learning and projects.

3.3. Applicants must demonstrate that materials and cases include local and African market content.

4.     Fees:

4.1. Applicants' minimum annual full tuition fee for the MBA or equivalent must be at least $3 500 per student.

5.     Executive Education:

5.1. Applicants must provide at least 40 days of executive education per year. (Non Negotiable criteria)

5.2. The Executive Education fee should be no less than $100 per day per participant.

6.     Quality assurance:

6.1. Applicants must demonstrate the use of an independent quality assurance system on the MBA programme, such as a national accreditation body, external examiners or another quality controlling body.  (Non Negotiable criteria)

7.     Association's website:

7.1. All Faculty Members from Schools applying for AABS Membership must register on the Association's website.

AABS Members:

1. Join the AABS network
2. Are listed as AABS members on the AABS website and in AABS correspondence
3. Will receive a visit from a Mentor (from the AABS Advisory board, AABS Board, or an AABS consultant) for a 3 day period once every three years
4. Are encouraged to host any AABS meetings or events
5. Can display the AABS logo on their correspondence, website and school.
6. Attend AABS workshops and meetings at discounted rates

Current AABS membership fees are $3 500. 

AABS Pipeline Schools:

Schools that do not yet meet all the non negotiable criteria for AABS but would like to aspire to meet those criteria in the next two years can join AABS as “AABS Pipeline Schools”.

AABS pipeline school applicants would:

1. Join the AABS network
2. Would be eligible to attend the Annual AABS Members Conference
3. Will be assigned a Mentor (from the AABS Advisory board, AABS board or an AABS consultant) for a year period (which could be extended if needed). The mentor will visit the school for three days once during the year, they will also be available for email and telephonic contact and support during the year.
4. Be able to join AABS Workshops at discounted AABS member rates.
5. Receive AABS peer visits

AABS pipeline school would need to:

• Submit an online application form
• Meet at least 2 of the five non negotiable criteria
• Must offer an MBA or equivalent Masters programme
• Pay an annual fee of $3 000 per year
• Need to aspire to meet the AABS non negotiable criteria within a period of three years.
• Applications to be an AABS pipeline school can be submitted at any stage.

Current Pipeline school fees are $3 000.