By Modupe Gbadeyanka
African banking giant, Ecobank, has scored another first with its Ecobank Academy becoming 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 6 continents with more than 100 leading business schools from 50 countries, whose leaders, faculty, and students engage in programs to improve access to quality, locally relevant management and entrepreneurship education.
Since its beginning in 1985, the Ecobank Group has been committed to economic and social development across sub-Saharan Africa.
Operating in all regions in sub-Saharan Africa, the 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 organizations have a shared vision for Africa, to have the talent it needs to generate prosperity.
At a seminar, the management of GBSN led by its CEO, Mr Dan LeClair, expressed its excitement to welcome the Togo-based Ecobank Academy to its fold.
The event was to mark the start of the formal relationship between GBSN and Ecobank Academy and it was based on exploring Africa’s changing talent needs.
“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,” Mr LeClair said.
On the partnership, Simon Rey, Group Head of Ecobank Academy, Talent, and Organizational Development 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 to together bring world-class capabilities to create and implement solution-driven programs impacting African SMEs, MSMEs, Public Sector, Development organizations, Youth, and other professionals.”
