The Africa Business Club has been a cornerstone of student life at Harvard Business School for over two decades, creating a space where African identity, business leadership, and global ambition converge. Founded to increase the visibility of Africa within the HBS experience, the club has grown into a platform for community, dialogue, and influence. Today, its members lead initiatives that connect students with African business leaders, support prospective applicants, and shape how Africa is represented in classrooms and boardrooms alike.
Through year-round programming, the club continues to challenge perceptions and expand possibilities. Its alumni now span industries and continents, forming a global network of change-makers rooted in shared values. As the future of Africa unfolds, the Africa Business Club stands ready to keep building, bridging, and leading at HBS and far beyond.
The Africa Business Club is an official student organization at Harvard Business School and part of a vibrant ecosystem of student-led initiatives.
The Africa Business Club at HBS empowers African leaders, builds community, and bridges Harvard with the continent through culture, careers, and impact.
What We Stand For ...We elevate African voices, foster global community, and shape how Africa shows up in business not just at HBS, but in the world beyond.
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From the moment you consider applying to long after graduation, the Africa Business Club stays with you. We’re a community that opens doors, shares knowledge, and grows stronger with time because connection doesn’t end with a diploma.
At Yale, we talk about leading for business and society. Yale SOM and OID are committed to enhancing equity and inclusion in our student community and with our external partners. As we prepare our students to be leaders in business and society, it is important to build relationships with potential collaborators, stay informed on current trends in our industry, and showcase our expertise to a wider audience.
In February, I was proud to attend Harvard Business School’s Africa Business Conference as co-president of the Yale SOM Black Business Alliance. I went alongside my classmates Oluwafemi Ayangbayi and Dean Okoduwa, co-chairs of Yale SOM’s Africa Business and Society Club. The presence of student leaders who, like me, straddle multiple worlds while remaining deeply tied to Africa emphasized the power of engaging across the Pan-African diaspora.
This year’s theme, “Beyond Borders,” invited us to reimagine the future of Africa through a lens that was unapologetically ambitious. Could breaking down barriers between nations really accelerate economic growth, spark innovation, and promote sustainable development across the continent?
The African Continental Free Trade Area, which comprises 55 nations and is the largest such zone in the world, holds the promise of reshaping Africa’s economic landscape, but the vision will not realize itself. As the panelists reminded us, we must confront the hard truths: trade harmonization without physical infrastructure is a paper dream.
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African Continental Free Trade Area
Conference Highlights and Key Discussions
Throughout the conference, breakout sessions offered a kaleidoscope of insight across sectors including music, fashion, governance, technology, and healthcare. This was especially important to me as a dual MPH/MBA candidate.
In the panel “Sustainable Healthcare Delivery Models in Africa,” I was particularly struck by the speakers’ focus on non-communicable diseases and how local pharmacies can be reimagined as frontline healthcare providers. Another standout panel was “Redefining the Narrative: African Creatives Charting New Paths.” As someone who once felt “not African enough,” witnessing artists, designers, and digital pioneers reclaim their identity on their own terms was a full-circle moment.
One of my favorite sessions, “Cross Over Borders: The Global Rise of African Sports and Gaming,” took a personal turn: As someone who grew up on Madden, FIFA, and after-school football practice, this intersection of my childhood passion and gaming across continents was electric. The panel unpacked the opportunities in infrastructure, talent development, and tech-driven platforms to elevate African athletes and gamers onto the world stage. The takeaway? Africa’s influence in global culture is already here.
Our second keynote, “Governance & Economic Transformation,” with former Ghanaian vice president Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, brought the conversation back to leadership and accountability. His reflections on Ghana’s journey with digitalization and job creation reminded us that governance is not a passive concept, but rather has to be bold and deeply rooted in the realities of the people it serves.
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Mahamudu Bawumia
The day ended with good food-meat patties, plantain chips-and warm conversation with peers from across the globe. None of this would have been possible without the support of Yale SOM’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity and their External Partnerships & Travel Initiative. I’m deeply grateful for the chance to attend and the space to grow, be challenged, and return with a clearer sense of how I can contribute to the SOM community.
Objectives of the Africa Business Club
The Africa Business Club focuses on several key objectives:
- Foster Community: Establish the club as a strong community for Africans at HBS.
- Highlight Opportunity: Establish the club as a strong community for Africans at HBS.
- Shape the Curriculum: Integrate the coverage of African countries and businesses into the HBS curriculum through the development of case studies.
- Drive Dialogue: Promote the discussion of economic, political, and social issues confronting the continent through fireside chats, speaker panels, and the conference.
- Bridge Talent & Industry: Provide a two-sided platform where students can find African career opportunities and employers can access talent.
- Support Future Students: Increase applications from, and admittance of African students to HBS and serve as a resource to such prospective students.
AFRICA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS; OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Prospective Students: We guide future applicants through mentorship, shared stories, and real insight into what it means to thrive as an African at HBS.
Alumni Network: ABC alumni mentor, collaborate, and lead across industries, keeping the community strong long after graduation.
Upcoming Events: From speaker sessions to socials, our calendar is packed with moments to learn, lead, and connect. There's always something happening in the ABC community.
Conference Details:
- Date: March 24 - 25, 2023
- Location: HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
- Speakers: Over 70 speakers from across the Continent, including Fara Ashiru
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Taking things several notches higher, the second day of the Conference will be jam-packed with more than 25 engaging panel sessions and additional keynote sessions, awards presentations, and an unforgettable soiree to cap off the evening. at the intersection of global business & African ambition
Harvard Africa Business Club Logo
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