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Our programmes shaping African leaders and their organisations
For over 50 years, Sciences Po Executive Education has been equipping economic, institutional and regional stakeholders with the tools to strengthen their strategic thinking and drive the long-term transformation of African ecosystems.
The African continent has outlined a collective vision to become an integrated, prosperous and self-determined continent underpinned by economic growth and social progress. Sciences Po Executive Education supports this vision by offering programmes that combine academic expertise, a deep understanding of Africa’s current landscape and insightful discussions between participants and international experts.
Our programmes, designed and taught by researchers, professors and professionals from the public and private sectors, blend academic knowledge, a strategic and hands-on vision of Africa’s challenges, experience in the field and international best practices.
Programme instructors are renowned experts with experience in high-level diplomatic, economic and institutional posts. Previous guest experts have included :
- The first female Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Guinea
- The former director of the Directorate of Cooperation of Security and Defence – French Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Senior economists from the OECD, IFC, IMF and World Bank
- Former French diplomats posted in Senegal, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya and Ghana
- Former Minister of Communication Technologies, Republic of Tunisia
Sciences Po Executive Education offers a range of programmes tailored to the specific challenges of Africa’s public and private sectors. These include:
African Potential: Strategic Development and Management. An Executive Master programme that every year enables a cohort of thirty African leaders to hone their skills in development strategy, governance, and public administration.
A custom programme with the African Development Bank. A certificate programme designed for country directors and Vice-Presidents, combining online modules and on campus teaching with a particular focus on leadership and strategic management.
A strategic seminar for the African Space Council. In partnership with MEDEF International, this programme explores the role of Africa in the global space race and sets out a new roadmap for the African Space Agency’s development.
A certificate programme for the OCP. Two sessions held annually since 2020 to strengthen OCP Group’s board governance and strategic management.
A training initiative in partnership with the Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d'Ivoire (CGECI). The aim of this programme is to provide professional development to the HR function and establish a framework for social dialogue within companies.
A programme with the Office of the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire. Focused on the implementation of the “Côte d'Ivoire Emerging 2020” initiative and development of public policies and reforms for emerging economies.
A programme with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Training for members of parliament in ECOWAS countries designed to develop lobbying skills at local and national level.
Professional training for the Guinea Alumina Corporation. Programme on the fundamentals of collective bargaining to prepare for collective bargaining challenges that emerge in mining ecosystems.
A programme for Orange Africa. In collaboration with the Sales Academy MEA B2C, a programme was developed for Orange Africa’s in-house trainers focusing on pedagogical skills: public speaking, learning content design and effective teaching skills.
Sciences Po has trained a long line of African leaders and decision-makers, many of whom have occupied or occupy top-level posts :
- Habib Bourguiba – President of Tunisia (1957–1987)
- Mamadou Touré – Minister of the Promotion of Youth, Professional Integration and Civic Services, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
- Aristides Gomes – Former Prime Minister, Republic of Guinea-Bissau
- Mila Aziablé – Minister Delegate to the President for Energy and Mines, Republic of Togo
- Mohammed Mehdi Bensaïd – Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Kingdom of Morocco
- Hugues Mbadinga Madiya - Minister of Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnerships, Republic of Gabon (2022–2023)
These alumni demonstrate the lasting impact of Sciences Po Executive Education in shaping Africa’s leadership elite. Be next in line to join this influential community and actively contribute to the continent’s impact.
A long-lasting impact on Africa
Our programmes go far beyond the transmission of knowledge. They are designed to :

- equip decision-makers with the tools they need to lead change and tackle complex issues
- drive innovation and organisational change, factoring in international best practices and the current African landscape
- create a community of engaged leaders with the ability to build bridges between Africa and the rest of the world.
By choosing Sciences Po Executive Education, African leaders know they are joining an excellence ecosystem that will help them develop the knowledge and skills to make an impact and shape the future of their continent.
Sciences Po and Africa
Sciences Po and Africa have forged strong relations over many years. The university offers specialist programmes on Africa, such as the Africa Minor Bachelor programme (Reims campus), the Master programme at the School of International Affairs (PSIA) and the African Potential: Strategic Development and Management Executive Master programme (see above). Sciences Po has developed a vast network of exchanges with African universities and has two offices, in Nairobi and Dakar. Through a scholarship programme supported by the Mastercard Foundation, over 150 African students have received financial support to study at Sciences Po.
All the initiatives relating to Africa at Sciences Po come under the Africa Programme, an interdisciplinary structure spanning research centres, departments, schools and campuses that provides an interface between education and research.
Focus
Key figures
50
years of existence
24
partner universities
#4
Global QS Politics ranking