ABOUT THE ACADEMY

A catalyst for excellence

The AABS Academy serves as the professional development arm of the Association of African Business Schools (AABS). Established to advance the quality and impact of management education across the continent, the Academy empowers business schools to lead locally, collaborate regionally, and compete globally.

Through carefully curated programs, leadership workshops, and collaborative initiatives, the Academy equips deans, faculty, and executives with the knowledge, tools, and networks required to strengthen their institutions and foster transformative growth.

Guided by its commitment to innovation, collaboration, and impact, the AABS Academy stands as a continental platform for advancing African excellence in business and management education.

PURPOSE

Advancing the Global Competitiveness of African Business Schools

The AABS Academy was established to reinforce the institutional capacity of African business schools. It achieves this by developing the leadership, pedagogical, and strategic capabilities of academic and administrative teams.

Through innovative learning experiences and applied research, the Academy promotes excellence in teaching, governance, and institutional development, enabling African schools to deliver education that is both locally relevant and globally benchmarked.
SUPPORT

Empowering Institutions Through Capacity Building and Collaboration

The AABS Academy provides a comprehensive suite of professional development and peer-learning opportunities tailored to the realities of African business education. Its programs strengthen leadership effectiveness, enhance teaching quality, and encourage cross-regional collaboration.

By connecting institutions to global best practices while fostering Africa-to-Africa learning, the Academy builds sustainable networks of excellence that promote innovation, inclusion, and long-term institutional resilience.

Vision

Positioning African Business Schools at the Forefront of Global Management Education

Mission

Cultivating Transformative Leadership and Academic Excellence Across the Continent
PRINCIPLES

Excellence, Collaboration, Capacity, and Inclusion Anchored in African Realities

  • Excellence with African relevance: striving for the highest standards of quality grounded in the continent’s context and aspirations.
  • Collaboration and knowledge exchange: fostering partnerships that enhance mutual learning and collective advancement.
  • Capacity building for competitiveness: equipping schools to achieve sustainable growth and global standing.
  • Inclusion and accessibility: ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities across languages, geographies, and institutions.

AABS PROGRAMS

AI For Strategic Academic Leadership

Transform from AI-Curious to AI-Confident
This intensive executive workshop is designed to equip university deans and directors with practical, no-code AI skills that deliver immediate institutional impact. Participants will gain hands-on experience with user-friendly AI tools including NotebookLM, Google Gemini, Gamma, Canva, and Otter.ai to address critical leadership challenges including governance, funding, talent management, digital transformation, and crisis response.
Location:

Hyderabad, India.

Date:

11 November 2025

Time:
Language:
English
Workshop

Strategic Admissions and Recruitment for African Business Schools

From Holistic Evaluation to Market Growth
A pioneering initiative designed to empower Admissions and Recruitment teams across African business schools with practical strategies, case studies, and actionable tools to strengthen pipelines and outcomes.
Location:

Online

Date:

1 October 2025
29 October 2025

Time:

16h30 to 18h00 CAT
14h30 to 16h00 CAT

Language:
English
Learning Journey

Testimonials

Vincenzo - dean

“At the AABS Academy, I’ve learned that one of the most essential skills for effective leadership and negotiation is active listening. It’s what builds trust, prevents misunderstandings, and helps uncover shared interests across diverse cultural and institutional contexts. This ability to truly listen is what transforms conversations into collaboration.”

Mamadou - Managing Director

“The AABS Academy experience highlights the importance of intercultural communication and a strategic vision grounded in African realities. It reminds us that leadership today means being adaptable, creative, and deeply aware of our capacity to contribute to Africa’s economic and academic transformation.”

Laurence - Director

“What stands out about the AABS Academy is its emphasis on an open-minded, connected form of leadership. By encouraging collaboration, mobility, and networking across institutions, it prepares us to negotiate and shape the future of African business education together.”

PARTNERS