AABS Connect Conference 2025: Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence

Under the theme “From Africa to the World: Showcasing African Excellence,” the two-day event convened academic leaders, business executives, policymakers and entrepreneurs from across the continent to explore the future of business education, innovation and leadership in Africa.

The conference commenced with inspiring opening remarks from Samer Atallah, associate dean for graduate studies and research at the Onsi Sawiris School of Business, Jon Foster-Pedley, AABS board chairman and dean of Henley Business School (Africa) and Sherif Kamel, dean of the Onsi Sawiris School of Business. Their addresses emphasized the importance of collaboration among African institutions to amplify innovation and tackle the continent's challenges. 

Foster-Pedley highlighted the proactive role of African institutions in shaping global conversations, stating, "African institutions are no longer asking for a seat at the table; we are building the table. We are shaping the conversation, not by echoing others, but by bringing our own voice." Kamel underscored the collective pursuit of excellence in business education and its profound impact on Africa's growth and prosperity.

Empowering Africa’s Next Generation

A highlight of the conference was a keynote by Mohamed El Damaty, vice chairman and CEO of Domty, a leading Egyptian FMCG, who called for greater unity among universities, governments and the private sector to inspire and empower Africa’s youth. “Hope is key in fostering a sense of belonging and success,” El Damaty emphasized, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts to cultivate leadership across the continent.

Driving Collaboration and Innovation

The first session delved into how business schools can collaborate with industry and government to foster entrepreneurship and social innovation. Olayinka David-West from Lagos Business School and Maurice Radebe of the University of the Witwatersrand emphasized the need for education systems that focus not just on starting enterprises but on scaling businesses and creating social impact.

Digital Transformation and Inclusion

The second session focused on the role of technology in Africa’s development. Ahmed Salama, CTO of Microsoft Egypt and Steve Briggs, CEO of VulaCoin, highlighted the urgency of affordable digital access and AI literacy. They urged African institutions to transition from consumers to creators of technology, tailoring solutions to local challenges.

Championing Women in Leadership

A dedicated session, moderated by Dina Abdel Fattah, chair of the Mohamed Shafik Gabr Economics Department, Onsi Sawiris School of Business, addressed empowering African women leaders with voices like Hala Barakat, director of AUC’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Alaa Amer, HR manager, Procter & Gamble Egypt, and Manal Amin, founder and CEO, Arabize advocating for systemic change in institutions. The panel emphasized that while women are increasingly prepared for leadership roles, real progress requires organizations to actively sponsor and appoint women to positions of influence.

Resonant Leadership in a Changing World

During the fourth session, Barry van Zyl from Henley Business School - Africa, introduced the concept of “Groove” — a leadership superpower rooted in authentic connection and presence. He highlighted the unique role of human empathy in leadership, which technology cannot replace.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

The conference spotlighted startups nurtured by African business schools during its fifth session. Moderated by Ayman Ismail, AUC Venture Lab, the session showcased how institutions serve as incubators, offering mentorship, funding access and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets essential for scaling ventures across Africa.

African Principles in Corporate Governance

Tumi Dlamini, corporate governance expert, called for governance frameworks that reflect Africa’s unique socio-economic contexts and ethical values during her keynote address. “Our ancient African wisdom must drive our path towards a prosperous Africa,” she asserted, linking purpose-driven leadership to sustainable growth.

African Insights Driving Transformation Through Research

Moderated by David M., associate dean for academic and student affairs and director of the Africa Case Center (Kenya), the sixth session brought together panelists Hazel Walker, director of external relations at The Case Centre (UK), Daniel J. Petzer, head of research at Henley Business School – Africa and Ahmed Elsayed, executive director of J-PAL Middle East and North Africa, The American University in Cairo. The discussion emphasized the power of contextualized, applied research to address Africa’s unique challenges, the global relevance of African narratives and the critical role of business schools in linking research to practice. Panelists also highlighted educational innovation through localized content and technology and underscored the value of cross-border collaboration in scaling Africa’s research impact.

Curriculum for Change: Advancing Sustainability in African Business Education

The seventh and final session, moderated by Estela Castelli Florino Pilz, project manager at Sulitest (France) focused on the importance of integrating sustainability into business curricula. Speakers, Maha Mourad, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration, Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo (Egypt) and Hicham SEBTI, PhD, HDR, associate dean at ESSEC Africa (Morocco), advocated for African-rooted governance models and purpose-driven leadership, emphasizing collaboration between universities, governments and industry to prepare future leaders to balance economic, social and environmental goals.

Conclusion: Honoring the Past, Forging the Future of Business Education in Africa

The AABS 2025 Connect Conference not only commemorated 20 years of progress in African business education but also set a bold agenda for the future — one where collaboration, innovation, inclusivity and sustainability form the foundation for Africa’s continued growth and leadership on the global stage.

Watch the highlights of the AABS Connect 2025 and the 20th Anniversary

Check photos of the conference here