Africa’s new breed of global business leaders is being cultivated right now in executive education classes across Accra, Lagos, and Shanghai. Yes, Shanghai!

Since returning from all three of these exciting study destinations, the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) for Africa now boasts a continent-wide alumni pool, walking the corridors of global and regional champions such as McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, Standard Bank, Amazon, and Nespresso.

Curated by China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) from its campuses in Accra and Shanghai and teaching facilities in Lagos, the six-month part-time programme is crafted for high-performing, busy executives with 10+ years of management experience.

With a few seats left to enroll in the April 2024 intake, we sat down with AMP 2023 graduate Jonathan Zobi to ask for his top five reflections on the programme. Formerly of Sanofi, Jonathan now heads up operations for mPharma in Ghana. He enrolled in the programme after being awarded sponsorship from global healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson.

Global prestige, local relevance

I attended the AMP as I reached a point in my career where what I knew was no longer enough. I was already familiar with the school through its programmes high rankings in the Financial Times. I had also already completed my MBA, so I wanted a short, practical, and engaging programme that would challenge my thinking and connect me with world-class professors and executives cherry-picked from major industries.

Value for Money Impact

I was fortunate to receive tuition sponsorship from Johnson & Johnson and was able to meet their Managing Director of Emerging Markets during the programme. Asgar Rangoonwala is one of the many friends of CEIBS that you’ll meet along the way, someone who can ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to realising the potential for healthcare providers in emerging economies.

The many ‘A-Ha’ moments

We studied the major topics that allow executives to excel, from “financial strategy and value creation” to “Driving exponential growth through strategic marketing”. There were many moments throughout lively discussions with peers and professors that helped me to understand why strategic decisions are made, why companies fail, and how we can avoid missing critical moments in the future. 

Innovate your Network

At mPharma, it is plain to see how global fluctuations in exchange rates and MNC investment can impact patients’ access to quality healthcare across Africa. Implementing a long-term strategy is crucial to mitigating these shocks, and I would say the same applies to your network. You need to surround yourself with executives committed to the region, those who are in Africa, for Africa. That’s why it feels like home when I come back to the CEIBS campus.

Trust the new you

I’m not the same person as I was before the programme, which is amazing given my balance between work and studies. Having spoken to peers that have taken similar programmes online, or overseas, it is clear to me that there is a special bond between our cohort, and I feel proud to be amongst them. Study hard, reflect, enjoy every minute, and welcome to CEIBS!

Testimonial | Executive Director of CEIBS Africa Mathew Tsamenyi

Mathew Tsamenyi

Professor of Management Practice in Accounting

Executive Director of CEIBS Africa

"We are proud to have Jonathan amongst our growing alumni network. The business landscape on the continent is rapidly changing. This requires managers, like Jonathan, who understand the intricacies of business in Africa whilst keeping an eye on the pulse of global business. For us, there is no better lens than one of the most dynamic economies in the world - China."

To request a brochure, or for more information on the AMP from Admission colleagues in Accra or Lagos, email africaprogram@ceibs.edu.