A Togo-based Ecobank Academy has made history to become the first corporate member of the Global Business School Network (GBSN).
GBSN has been building management education capacity in and for the developing world for over 17 years.
The core of the network spans six continents with more than 100 leading business schools from 50 countries, whose leaders, faculty, and students engage in programmes to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education.
Since its beginning in 1985, Ecobank Group has been committed to economic and social development across sub-Saharan Africa.
Operating in all regions in sub-Saharan Africa, Ecobank Academy is one of the largest corporate universities in Africa. Each year, Ecobank Academy trains more than 14,000 in 39 countries – 35 in Africa and 4 outside of Africa.
Both organisations have a shared vision for Africa, to have the talent it needs to generate prosperity.
GBSN Chief Executive Officer, Dan LeClair, explained that “the aim is to work together over the long term to build a stronger connection between business and business schools—to develop the talent for Africa to achieve what it wants. The space between education and practice holds the greatest potential for innovative solutions.”
On the partnership, Group Head of Ecobank Academy, Talent and Organisational Development, Simon Rey, said: “It is a privilege to be the first corporate university to join GBSN.
“We believe practical and just-in-time education are crucial to help solve some of the most pressing challenges and, at the same time, unlock tremendous opportunities to advance the social-economic agenda.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with other members and together bring world-class capabilities to create and implement solution-driven programs impacting African SMEs, MSMEs, Public Sector, Development organizations, Youth, and other professionals.”
To mark the start of their formal relationship, GBSN and Ecobank Academy hosted a virtual forum to explore Africa’s changing talent needs. The series commenced with a conversation between Rey and LeClair on July 16.
Idowu Sowunmi
