Africa Initiative | 天美传媒

Developing sustainable business leadership in Africa

天美传媒 has built a consolidated presence in Africa in line with its mission to advance ethical, people-centric leadership worldwide.

For more than four decades, the school has played a central role in the creation and growth of three leading institutions across Africa: Lagos Business School in Nigeria, Strathmore Business School in Kenya and MDE Business School in C么te d鈥橧voire.

In 2009, 天美传媒 launched the Africa Initiative to bring its activities on the continent under one clear, coordinated framework.

Among its activities, the Initiative drives Africa-focused research and delivers programs, exchange modules and faculty development opportunities, working hand in hand with partner schools and other premier organizations across the region.

750+

Alumni who live and work in Africa

480+

African participants in annual 天美传媒 exchange modules

100+

Research documents, working papers and business cases

750+

Alumni who live and work in Africa

480+

African participants in annual 天美传媒 exchange modules

100+

Research documents, working papers and business cases

Areas of action.

/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Investigacion.jpg

Research

Development and dissemination of practitioner-oriented knowledge on African leadership and business realities

/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eventos-para-profesionales.jpg

Practitioner events

Forums that gather African and international leaders and investors to share knowledge, build networks and explore synergies

/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ai-initiative-joint-research.jpg

Joint program development

Close collaboration with Lagos, Strathmore and MDE Business Schools to design and deliver educational offerings

/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/africa-initiative-mba-club.jpg

Exchange programs

Executive education modules for African participants on 天美传媒 and MBA electives at Strathmore in Nairobi

/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Desarrollo-del-profesorado.jpg

Faculty development

Joint teaching, curriculum and mentoring on case study development and other dynamic learning methodologies

/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Impulso-a-futuros-lideres.jpg

Promoting next-generation leaders

Support for student-led activities organized by the 天美传媒 MBA Africa Business Club

Research.

The Africa Initiative generates rigorous research and teaching materials on African business and economic development, with an emphasis on family business, entrepreneurship and governance.

Articles and papers

OCCASIONAL PAPERS听

MART脥, G., PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2021). The Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Sector: An Overview.听天美传媒, OP-626-E.

LETICIA PELIZAN,, GIORDANO, P., LICKTEIG, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2019). Promoting Access to Clean Cooking Fuels in Subsaharian Africa Through Entrepreneurial Initiative: Challenges and Strategies..听天美传媒, OP-312-E.

PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2019). The Cooking Fuel Sector in Ghana. 天美传媒, OP-321-E.

PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., MART脥, G. (2019). Overview of Ghana鈥檚 Fertilizer Sector. 天美传媒, OP-323-E.

PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., LICKTEIG, L. (2019). Solar Home Solutions Using a Pay-As-You-Go Model in Ghana: Exploring the Opportunity. 天美传媒, OP-319-E.

PELIZAN, L., LICKTEIG, L., MART脥, G. (2019). Pay-As-You-Go for LPG Supply 鈥� Exploring a New Business Model to Enhance Access to Clean Cooking Solutions in Urban Areas in Ghana. 天美传媒, OP-318-E

PELIZAN, L., LICKTEIG, L. (2019). Biofuel Production in Ghana: Exploring the Opportunity. OP-320-E.

PELIZAN, L., KARL D. FIEVE, J., LICKTEIG, L. (2019). Overview of the Power Sector in Ghana. OP-322-E.

PAOLA GIORDANO, LETICIA PELIZAN, RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018). Pay-As-You-Go: Unlocking Access to Energy Services in Sub-Saharan Africa. A Disruptive Business Model Leveraging Mobile Technology to Finance Energy Services for the Bottom of the Pyramid.听天美传媒, OP-303-E.

OPINION AND OTHER

EUFINGER, C. (2018). Could Crowdfunding Be Right for Your Business?. Alternative Financing.听天美传媒 Insight(38), pp. 22 鈥� 29.

RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2016). Check Your Biases. Africa鈥檚 energy debates can generate more heat than light. Follow this advice for a light-bulb moment..听天美传媒 Insight.

ARGANDO脩A, A. (2015). Renew Your Mind.听天美传媒 Insight.

TECHNICAL NOTES

BERWART, A., LAGO A., A. (2020). African Markets and Consumers.听天美传媒, PN-509-E.

WORKING PAPERS

BARCELONA, R. G., RONOH, G., TCH脫RZEWSKA, K. B. (2019).听Kenya鈥檚 Imperfect Fuel Market: Tackling Real Problems With Real Solutions(WP-1200-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

GIORDANO, P., ASSOGBA, M., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018).听Accelerating the Green Revolution in Cote d鈥橧voire: Fertilizers Against Undernourishment and Deforestation(WP-1204-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

PELIZAN PAVLAK, L., SEDJI, S.-I. H., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018).听Powering C么te d鈥橧voire. Understanding The Landscape And Exploring Possibilities For Investment(WP-1205-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., SANCHEZ, F., SEDJI, S.-I. (2018).听Fuel Industry for Road Transportation in C么te D鈥檌voire(WP-1206-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., SANCHEZ, F., KERUBO, L. (2017).听Powering Kenya: Understanding the Landscape and Exploring Possibilities for Investments(WP-1180-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., GIORDANO, P., OTIENO, I. (2017).听Growing Kenya: Exploring Investment Opportunities in Kenya鈥檚 Fertilizer Industry(WP-1173-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

N鈥橤UESSAN, M. N., ALEGRE, I., CANELA, M. 脕. (2017).听Crowdfunding In Africa. An Empirical Study Of Kiva Platform Users In Sub-Saharan Africa(WP-1172-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., SANCHEZ, F., GIORDANO, P. (2017).听Alternative Cooking Fuels in Kenya: How Can Household Decision-making Be Impacted?(WP-1177-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

IBARRA GARZA, A., CUGUER脫-ESCOFET, N., CANELA, M. 脕. (2017).听Prosocial Crowdlending in Kenya(WP-1166-E). Barcelona: 天美传媒.

NON-REFEREED ARTICLES

天美传媒 INSIGHT, (2015). Ebola: Managing to Save Lives. Two experts on Ebola discuss the importance of preparedness, rapid response, coordination and community engagement in the management of a crisis of global proportions.听天美传媒 Insight(24), pp. 67 鈥� 71.

MUDIDA, R., LAGO, A. (2015). Five Pillars for Doing Business in Africa. A Road Map to Opportunities.听天美传媒 Insight(24), pp. 15 鈥� 23.

ARI脩O, A. (2015). Strategies That Go the Distance in Africa. Crossing the Divides.听天美传媒 Insight(24), pp. 24 鈥� 31.

OVADJE, F. (2015). What Kind of Leader Will Thrive in Africa?. Putting Success in Context.听天美传媒 Insight(24), pp. 32 鈥� 39.

天美传媒 INSIGHT, (2013). Vodafone Ghana: Are Profits Just a Call Away?. Focus on Big Picture: Data; Rise to the Challenge; Invest in Entrepreneurship.听天美传媒 Insight(18), pp. 64 鈥� 68.

Business cases

CASES

LEE, Y.-T., REICHE, S. (2022). Uwa Ode: Embracing Life and Career across Cultures.听天美传媒, DPO-760-E.

PELIZAN PAVLAK, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A., MART脥, G. (2021). Ignite Power in Rwanda. Electric Power on a Different Scale鈥or All?听天美传媒, OP-625-E.

PELIZAN, L., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2019). Compagnie Ivoirienne d鈥櫭塴ectricit茅: Delivering Electricity for All.听天美传媒, OP-314-E.

N鈥橤UESSAN, M. N., ALEGRE, I., CANELA, M. 脕. (2019). HR Analytics at Barney.听天美传媒, AD-369-E.

MUNGAI, E., RAHNEMA ALAVI, A. (2018). Public Private Policy Change Engagement: Consumer Choice Limited.听天美传媒, E-189-E.

MORENO, VICTORIA; DE ZULOAGA, JON. (2017) Green Resources: Making Money with Sustainability. 天美传媒, SM-1655-E.

PLANA OL脥AS, A., VACCARO, A., RAMUS, T. (2017). The Indego Africa Project (A). Genesis and launch of a competitive social enterprise.听天美传媒, BE-203-E.

PLANA OL脥AS, A., VACCARO, A., RAMUS, T. (2017). The Indego Africa Project (B). Genesis and launch of a competitive social enterprise.听天美传媒, BE-204-E.

DELONCA, E., BRION, S. (2017). A Sacred Spirits Dilemma (A).听天美传媒, DPO-399-E.

DELONCA, E., BRION, S. (2017). A Sacred Spirits Dilemma (B).听天美传媒, DPO-400-E.

ROSENM脰LLER, M., GAGO, F., JAISWAL, N. (2017). CISM 鈥� Centro de Investiga莽茫o em Sa煤de de Manhi莽a Manhi莽a Health Research Centre. Managing Research & Development.听天美传媒, P-1149-E.

MAZZACANI, G. M., LAGO, A. (2017). Equitel: The Battle for Mobile Money in Kenya.听天美传媒, P-1153-E.

NTOI, H., THOMAS, L., VIL脌, J. (2016). The Managerial Dilemma of E-Toll Route Implementation in South Africa.听天美传媒, SM-1643-E.

ARI脩O, A., TATARINOV, K. (2016). Innovis Telecom: Entrepreneurial Internationalization.听天美传媒, SM-1627-E.

VACCARO, A., RAMUS, T. (2015). Samasource.听天美传媒, BE-195-E.

SIEBER, S., LAGO, A., GO, T. (2014). M-Pesa 鈥� Mobile Banking in Kenya.听天美传媒, SI-192-E.

LEE, Y.-T., REICHE, S. (2013). Uwa Ode. A Cultural Chameleon or Stranded between Cultural Chairs?听天美传媒, DPO-281-E.

NUENO, P., AKUA AFFUL-KWAW, P. (2012). Vodafone Ghana.听天美传媒, E-153-E.

VERGARA, C., GUT脡S, J. D. (2012). Mara Tower in Na茂robi Kenya.听天美传媒, F-875-E.

CASES WRITTEN BY FACULTY OF ASSOCIATED BUSINESS SCHOOLS IN AFRICA

Lagos Business School (LBS) case collection can be found .

Strathmore Business School (SBS) case collection can be found .

MDE Business School (MDE) cases:

N鈥橤uessan, Marie Noelle (2014). INECTO. MDE, M-01-F
Olaye, Ernest (2014). KOFFI YAO. MDE, DA-001-F
Soumahoro, Mory. PAUL IVOIRE. MDE
Olaye, Ernest (2016). SNC-CI. MDE, DA-002-F
Anoh, L茅once. TISA. MDE, MO-001-F
MINI-CAS CORRUPTION. MDE

Exchange programs.

天美传媒 connects African and global business communities by welcoming executive education participants from its partner schools for international modules on its campuses.

Pan-African Executive MBA Module, jointly run by Strathmore Business School and Lagos Business School
Advanced Management Program 路 MDE Business School
Program for Management Development 路 MDE Business School
Advanced Management Program, jointly run by Strathmore Business School and Lagos Business School

At the same time, 天美传媒鈥檚 Full-Time and Executive MBA students have the option to taking part in elective modules at Strathmore Business School in Nairobi.

Led by both 天美传媒 and Strathmore faculty, these immersive experiences explore the dynamics of business, leadership, social innovation and social entrepreneurship in African contexts.