Back to News News Africa AMI’s 2021 Impact Report: Skills to power growth & impact 31 Aug 2022 As Africa’s ambitious businesses emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic only to face further economic headwinds, we believe more than ever that their job creating power and drive for innovation are critical for the future of the continent. In our recently released AMI 2021 Impact Report: Skills to power growth & impact we share how AMI’s work in 2021 - building skills for growth with businesses and their teams – helped unlock business growth, create jobs, improve livelihoods and strengthen whole systems to withstand the turbulence of our times and support thriving communities. In 2021, we focused on business growth and resilience programmes for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as supporting larger ambitious entities to strengthen their management teams with practical tools and resources. We engaged 20,907 individuals and businesses from 39 countries . Businesses on our core business growth programmes reported a 99% business survival rate, increased revenue by 35% and created an average of 3.9 jobs each. In their "Letter from the founders", Rebecca Harrison (CEO) and Jonathan Cook (Board Chairman) look at how AMI's work with partners, clients and programme participants led to creating jobs, improving livelihoods, developing future-fit leaders from the marketplace to the boardroom, and shifting systems for equitable and sustainable human progress. “[Entrepreneurs and businesses] have the potential to address the big threats and opportunities of our time, as the continent strives to feed itself, power progress sustainably and elevate women. When [they] invest in skills development, we see transformation. Jobs are protected and created, livelihoods are improved, communities supported, and eventually, entire systems are strengthened." Read More About Our Impact in 2021 We invite you to download AMI’s 2021 Impact Report which contains an extensive view of a year that shaped the global economic landscape and how African entrepreneurs and their teams demonstrated resilience. Download the AMI 2021 Impact Report

Rural Agribusiness Scales Up With Youth and Women at the Core All Stories Hilary Maniku Position: Founder Company: Olube Agro Dealers Programme: Aspire Business Growth Programme Country: Uganda What began as a small agribusiness in Uganda’s Terego District has grown into a trusted partner for farmers across the region. Founded by Hillary Maniku, Olube Agro Dealers supports smallholder farmers to boost productivity and income through quality inputs, practical training, and stronger links to markets. Hillary was inspired to start Olube Agro Dealers after witnessing the challenges rural farmers faced, ranging from counterfeit products to limited technical support. His mission was clear: to shift farming from subsistence to a profitable, climate-smart enterprise. By offering authentic agricultural products, advisory services, and market connections, the business set out to boost productivity and resilience among smallholder farmers. Before joining the Aspire programme, Olube Agro Dealers grappled with gaps in systems and structure, especially financial management. Although driven by a deep commitment to farmers, the absence of systems limited growth, decision-making, and consistency. The business also needed to refine its branding and customer segmentation to position itself as a trusted partner for its target partners. The Aspire programme enabled Hillary introduce structured business practices that transformed operations. Particularly, he found the Customer Segment Matrix, Business Model Canvas, and Growth Tracker really helpful in clarifying their value proposition, streamline workflows, and strengthen financial discipline. Growth goals, KPI tracking, and a renewed focus on customer service became central to Olube Agro Dealers' approach. “One of the most impactful lessons was learning to treat my business as a separate entity from me, the founder. This shift has enabled me to introduce formal structures with clear roles and strengthen governance. This, like recordkeeping, monthly performance reviews, and customer feedback loops, are things we do on day-to-day operations.’’ says Hillary. Reflecting on the journey, Hillary continues to share that, "The Aspire Programme was a turning point. It gave us clarity, confidence, and capacity. We moved from running informally to becoming a structured, impact-driven agribusiness. Personally, I grew as a leader, learning to delegate, manage teams, and make data-driven decisions. For our farmers, this transformation meant better services, better yields, and better incomes. Aspire didn’t just grow our business; it strengthened our community." “Aspire didn’t just grow our business; it strengthened our community. We moved from running informally to becoming a structured, impact-driven agribusiness. For our farmers, this transformation meant better services, better yields, and better incomes.” Post-Aspire, Olube Agro Dealer experienced a 40% revenue increase, growing from $41,341 in 2023 to $57,797 in 2024. This growth was driven by improved customer engagement, stronger market linkages, and better inventory planning. The team expanded from 15 to 25 employees, including six field agents, four of whom are youth under 30 and three women, focused on community mobilization, agronomy training, and product distribution. Olube Agro Dealer’s growth has positively impacted over 200 local farmers through improved access to markets, training, and inputs. One notable example is a women’s VSLA group in Drimveni that, after adopting Olube’s tomato and watermelon farming techniques, earned over UGX 2,000,000 in a single season, strengthening both food security and household incomes. Looking ahead, Hilary is excited to enable even more farmers, many of them women and refugees in rural Uganda, with the tools and knowledge to practice climate-smart agriculture. As a community champion, he is passionate about expanding their farmer field school to promote sustainable methods like mulching, integrated pest management, and the use of organic fertilizers, helping reduce chemical use and protect local biodiversity. For Hilary, the future is about empowering his community to be more resilient. Download Hillary Maniku's Story Download AMI's 2024 Impact Report

Back to News News Uganda AMI and Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA) establish a strategic partnership to boost the energy sector 19 Sept 2024 Uganda’s solar industry leaders, managers, and workforce are getting a boost of energy as a result of a new partnership announced today between the African Management Institute (AMI) and the Uganda Solar Energy Association (USEA). Made possible by the Energy Access Talent Initiative (EATI) Programme funded by UKAID, this partnership will equip leaders and managers within the clean energy sector across Africa with the essential skills and tools to drive growth in their companies, as a result increasing energy access for Ugandans. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to building the capacity of leaders in high-growth sectors such as clean energy,” Alvin Katto, Country Manager, AMI Uganda. “By empowering managers with practical skills, we are supporting the expansion of energy access and driving meaningful, lasting change in Uganda’s energy landscape.” Professor Robinah Nanyunja, CEO at USEA, added, “We’re excited to offer our members this valuable opportunity for professional development. The skills gained through this programme will undoubtedly accelerate the growth of Uganda’s solar energy sector.” As part of this initiative, USEA members will gain exclusive access to AMI’s Empowering Managers Programme, a practical and results-focused training designed to enhance management capabilities in the clean energy sector. The programme is tailored to address the unique challenges faced by sector professionals, including effective team supervision, project management, and strategies to manage geographically dispersed teams. The African Management Institute (AMI) enables ambitious businesses across Africa to thrive, through practical tools and training. AMI’s practical and experience-driven learning approach, supports individuals to improve performance and develop essential winning behaviors and practices. This methodology encourages learning from data, feedback, live experiences, and implementation, ultimately propelling organizational success. USEA is the leading organization for Uganda’s solar energy industry, promoting the adoption of solar technologies and striving to expand access to clean, sustainable, and affordable energy across the country. By strengthening leadership within the clean energy sector, this partnership plays a critical role in advancing sustainable energy solutions, improving livelihoods, creating jobs, and fostering green economic opportunities in Uganda. Participants of the programme will receive subsidised pricing, making it more accessible to USEA’s membership base. This partnership follows a number of initiatives driven by the Government of Uganda to promote renewable energy projects through various financial and regulatory incentives, aligned with the 2023 Energy Policy. One such is the cut on taxes for importing renewable energy products like solar panels, inverters, batteries and wind turbines among others. In addition, through the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalization Company (UECCC), a number of credit support instruments have been offered to renewable energy companies to increase clean energy adoption by the Government of Uganda. USEA members can start enrolling in the Empowering Managers Programme this September. For more information, please visit https://africanmanagers.com/empowering-managers-uganda/

Transforming Leadership in Africa: The Bold Vision Behind A+ Coaching All Stories Adama Gorou Position: Founder Company: A+ Coaching Programme: Aspie Business Growth Programme Country: Côte d'Ivoire Sometimes, a personal breakthrough sparks a mission with social impact. That was the case for Adama Gorou, a seasoned media professional who saw untapped human potential in Africa and believed that everyone deserves guidance to discover who they are, where they’re going, and how to get there. This belief gave rise to A+ Coaching, a firm that supports managers and senior leaders to grow their leadership capabilities and strengthen their organisational culture, with a focus on soft skills and human-centred leadership. “Our goal is simple but powerful: to build healthy, positive, high-performing workplaces where people can thrive and bring their best selves. That requires ethical, inspiring, and deeply human leadership.” Before joining AMI’s Aspire programme, Adama was driven by creativity and intuition but struggled with planning and financial management. Dashboards, metrics, and forecasts felt distant from his day-to-day work and limited his ability to see the full picture of his business growth. Aspire changed that. “What Aspire gave me was the shift I needed. I realised that growth doesn’t happen through energy or creativity alone. It takes structure, a clear vision, a real action plan, and the right tools to steer the business forward.” Through the programme, Adama gained a structured, practical approach to leadership and growth, supported by real-world tools that helped him clarify his decisions and implement them effectively. The peer learning experience, exchanging ideas with other entrepreneurs, was a powerful source of motivation and insight. “For me, Aspire delivered the essence of business in a way that was highly practical and directly applicable. It cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what leaders really need: strategic vision, team management, financial clarity, and leadership, all covered in a way that’s digestible, human, and grounded in our African realities.” Aspire also helped Adama and his team segment their clients and break down their revenue by category. This gave them a clearer view of profitability, allowing for more strategic commercial decisions and better risk management. “We were able to categorise our clients and track revenue by segment. That gave us insight into who our most profitable clients were, how things evolved year over year, and what decisions to make next.” This sharpened positioning has led to significant growth, with some strategic contracts accounting for up to 30% of annual revenue. A+ Coaching continues to be selective, choosing partners aligned with its values and long-term vision. The firm is now expanding across Côte d’Ivoire and the wider region, while developing new formats to deepen its impact. “I can confidently say we’ve experienced meaningful growth not just in revenue, but in the opportunities we’re able to pursue. One contract alone last year accounted for nearly 30% of our typical annual revenue.” Today, A+ Coaching has a team of seven, mainly young professionals and women, with plans to hire in business development and project management. To stay agile, Adama also partners with a network of experienced consultants who join on demand. Thanks to Aspire, he’s built strong internal systems for delegation and staff development. “One of the biggest lessons from Aspire was learning to work on the business, not just in it. I’ve since developed structured processes that allow me to delegate effectively and focus on growth.” Beyond growing his business, Adama is investing in the next generation of leaders. He regularly trains young professionals and is preparing a new initiative aimed at emerging managers to foster a new kind of leadership: human, responsible, and deeply impactful. Aspire didn’t just offer tools, it opened new networks. A+ Coaching has since connected with entrepreneurs across the continent, expanding their perspective, sparking innovation, and building a pan-African vision of leadership transformation. “As an entrepreneur, you can often feel alone in your decisions. Aspire gave me a structure, practical tools, and a community to help me evolve the business. What I appreciated most was the balance between the depth of content, the quality of tools, and the richness of conversations with other entrepreneurs. The platform was well designed, and the resources were instantly accessible. The tools were especially powerful, the kind you download and use right away, without needing to ‘translate’ them to your business. Just practical, real, and grounded.” Download Adama Gorou's Story Download AMI's 2024 Impact Report

AMI’s flagship programme for managers provides engaging and practical learning experiences to integrate skills and tools into daily management practices. Participants learn new strategies to motivate their teams, overcome obstacles, and effectively drive performance. All Programmes Flagship Programme Management Development Programme AMI’s flagship programme for managers provides engaging and practical learning experiences to integrate skills and tools into daily management practices. Participants learn new strategies to motivate their teams, overcome obstacles, and effectively drive performance. Various (Live Virtual, In-Person or Hybrid) 4 - 6 Months Request Information Designed for Middle managers, new managers, & rising supervisors Learning Journey Phase 1: Empowering your People Understanding key responsibilities in guiding and supporting a team. The importance of clear, open, and purposeful communication. Leading through persuasion and relationship-building rather than relying on formal power. Encouraging autonomy, trust, and growth in team members to unlock their potential. Phase 2: Overcoming Challenges Giving feedback and handling difficult conversations Identifying and nurturing the factors that drive individuals and teams to perform their best Mastering time management Phase 3: Building Great Teams Phase 3: Building High-Performing Teams Navigating the unique interactions, strengths, and challenges that drive team success Inspiring a culture of continuous learning, resilience, and openness to change within teams. Establishing strong, authentic relationships that foster collaboration and empower team members. Using coaching techniques to guide individuals toward realizing their full potential and excelling in their roles What's Included The 4-6 month blended programme includes: 6 virtual learning lab workshops 9 online courses & practical tools 1 Change Challenge practical project Graduation event & AMI certification Custom Learning @ Scale Enterprise-Wide Learning AMI Enterprise offers the Management Development Programme as a tailored solution for workplace learning, supporting the cadre of managers across a company or organisation’s management level to learn and grow together virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid setting. Impact @ Scale Managers in all sizes of businesses and organisations are essential to growing Africa’s most critical industries and sectors - from travel and tourism to energy and agriculture. AMI Impact works alongside development partners to target, design and deliver virtual, in-person and hybrid editions of the Management Development Programme to upskill and prepare managers in key development areas. Cohorts focus on working together to apply learning and Action Learning Projects to solve key challenges. Guided & Supported Learning Journeys Explore AMI's Learning Approach Cohort-Based Groups of learners are guided by AMI’s facilitators through experiences that emphasize peer-to-peer learning, action learning projects, and networking. Tech-Enabled AMI’s web and mobile apps support learners anytime and anywhere with access to video content, downloadable tools and engagement, throughout their journey. Africa First Our approach and content is built for Africa’s ambitious professionals and teams. With content in 7 languages, African case studies, and experiences led by Africa’s finest facilitators, we put Africa first in everything we do. I really enjoyed the hands-on approach of the programme, making it practical and easy to apply. I would definitely recommend it! Abigail Goschen Operations Manager UCook We‘ve seen a lot of efficiency within the team. Managers have learnt how to communicate and influence their team members. Joyce Njeri HR Manager Vivo Fashion Group I would highly recommend the programme, especially if you want to elevate your company's brand and give your employees a platform to improve themselves. Evone Selvarajah Founder & Sales Director Eden Heights Realty This experience reminded me of our shared humanity and the importance of our emotions. The emotional intelligence aspect had a lasting impact on me. It's about creating workplaces where being predictable and open leads to trust and acceptance, allowing for better conversations. Jocelyn Muoki Brand Marketing Manager Vivo Fashion Group These tools are incredibly powerful—I see them as gold. The programme has transformed my understanding of storytelling and its impact. I now fully appreciate how we can craft and use our stories to secure investment and funding opportunities. The Speak Up and Lead course, in particular, has helped me harness storytelling to highlight the values behind our work. Jackie May Founder & Editor TWYG There’s plenty of training content and tools available online, but very little is tailored to the African context. That’s what makes AMI stand out. The facilitators and participants bring local insights into every discussion, ensuring that feedback and guidance are relevant and practical. This has made me more likely to recommend AMI. As an admin at Workpay, I also appreciated their excellent customer service. Boris Maguire VP Operations Workpay As managers, we often take on too much ourselves. I’ve learned how to collaborate better with my team and ensure everyone takes responsibility for their work. I can already see a difference—the team is more engaged and proactive. John Nsubuga Global Human Resource Manager Fenix International I learned how to delegate effectively and build trust within my team using practical coaching tools. The Growth Mindset Learning Lab also helped me improve my presentation skills, making our meetings more engaging. As a result, attendance grew from 100 to 695 in a short time. Anne Njoroge Learning & Development Assistant M-GAS Implementing the time management, emotional and communication courses and tools helped me instil trust in the team and increase performance. We were able to improve rotation of duties, decrease faulty meters and increase quality meter production. Terry Abuoro Product Technician, IT M-GAS Connect with AMI to learn how this programme can unlock growth & performance. Learn More Ambitious learning for an ambitious Africa Whether you’re looking for workplace learning for five to five hundred, or customized programmes that drive impact locally or across Africa, AMI’s learning solutions are tailored to meet your unique needs. Connect with our learning advisors to discover how our ambitious learning programmes can help you achieve your ambitious goals. Connect with an AMI Learning Advisor Explore related programmes enrolling now AMI offers editions of this programme for open enrollment for individuals and smaller teams, in addition to offering our programmes at scale along side impact partners and workplace learning customers. Empowering Managers Pan Africa November 2025 View Open Programme Overview Many managers arrive into their position because they thrived as individual contributors. However, managing requires a different set of skills to deliver results when leading teams to achieve specific goals and targets. Whether a new or seasoned manager, AMI’s flagship management programme helps individual performers transform into highly effective managers who can lead teams. AMI's learning approach combines interactive workshops, self-led online learning, team-based activities, on-the-job practice, and real-time feedback, focusing on manager-specific approaches. All experiences ensure managers learn quickly and effectively while on the job. Throughout the 4-6 month program, participants learn and apply effective tools and approaches on the job. Each participant and cohort works on a strategic “Change Challenge” of their choice to apply new skills and behaviours to effect meaningful change in their role, performance, and the organisation or business they work in. Key Outcomes Effective Management and Performance Enhancement Development of core management skills to drive individual and team success. Mastery of performance management techniques to set goals, track progress, and ensure accountability. Team Motivation and Productivity Team Motivation and Productivity Ability to inspire and engage teams to enhance motivation and productivity. Implementation of practical strategies to create a high-performance team culture. Communication and Problem-Solving Strengthening of communication skills for clear, impactful, and efficient management. Proficiency in problem-solving and decision-making to navigate challenges effectively. Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement Application of structured processes to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Cultivation of a mindset focused on continuous improvement and innovation. Focus Areas Building trust Coaching Effective communication Empowering others Feedback & difficult conversations Growth mindset Influencing without authority Motivation Role of a manager Team dynamics Time management

Back to News News Africa AMI launches AMI Enterprise for workplace and workforce learning; Asha Mweru Mbowa promoted to Managing Director 21 Nov 2022 The African Management Institute (AMI), the continent’s leading business learning company has announced the launch of AMI Enterprise , a new division dedicated to boosting workplace and professional skills for growth-stage and established companies. The new division leverages AMI’s long-standing position in the continent's training sector and its Africa-focused approach, proven to drive performance among leaders, managers, and Africa’s growing workforce. Kenya’s Asha Mweru Mbowa has been appointed as Managing Director of AMI Enterprise, having been promoted from her role as AMI’s Director of Operations and Talent, where she oversaw a 118% growth of AMI employees from 2020 to 2022. Asha’s promotion continues the precedent set by AMI in which women represent over 60% of all senior leadership positions at AMI. “AMI’s team not only prepares the next generation of African leaders and workforce. our team is part of the next generation. We know that Africa’s business and professional talent are the driving factor behind the growth of the continent’s established and emerging businesses,” said Mrs. Mweru Mbowa who is based in Accra, Ghana. The Africa-based learning company equips businesses, managers, and Africa’s future workforce with the practical tools and training they need to succeed and drive growth. AMI’s proven learning approach incorporates virtual and in-person workshops with on-the-job practice and support accompanied by practical online and mobile learning tools. Programmes are delivered by experienced world-class and African-based facilitators. “AMI was founded nearly a decade ago with a vision for enabling Africa’s ambitious enterprises to thrive through practical management tools and training. We’ve grown rapidly, supporting leaders and managers at thousands of organisations, from Raddison Blue and Uber to Africa’s own rising stars such as M-KOPA and RwandAir. Our practical business learning is proven to accelerate Africa’s entrepreneurial economy. The recent establishment of AMI Enterprise as a core division will allow us to scale up our support for these companies as they grow to be a force in the global economy,” said Rebecca Harrison, AMI’s CEO and co-founder. “There’s no one more qualified than Asha Mweru Mbowa to lead AMI Enterprise as we respond to the rapid growth and demand across Africa for AMI’s corporate and growth-stage business training programmes.” AMI’s Enterprise clients can select from AMI’s 4-6 month flagship leadership, management and workforce performance programmes, shorter 1-2 month focused professional power skills programmes, and AMI’s E nterprise Academy solution which provides virtual, on-demand and localised blended learning for hundreds of participants. AMI also develops bespoke learning programmes rooted in AMI methodology and leveraging its proprietary online learning platform, which includes over 3,000 downloadable tools, over 80 online courses and content in 5 languages. AMI learning programmes incorporate African-contextualized content and case studies based on African businesses and management experiences. Asha Mweru Mbowa joined AMI in 2020 after extensive experience working in Africa’s investment sector and with business education providers. She served as an Investment Advisor with Novastar Ventures and in key leadership roles with Kenya’s business education company, Sinapis Group. Asha is active as an experienced entrepreneur and is the co-founder of Women Work Kenya, a technology-driven company focused on the advancement of African women entrepreneurs and professionals through digital communities and access to growth opportunities. She also serves as an Advisory board member of LendHer Capital and Profish Ghana Limited. Mrs. Mweru Mbowa is currently pursuing a Masters in Liberal Arts, Management from the Harvard Extension School and is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Technology from Strathmore University. She will lead an AMI Enterprise division with a deep bench and an ever-growing footprint across the continent, including sales and learning delivery team members in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Senegal, and Nigeria. AMI Enterprise will compliment AMI Impact, the company’s other internal division which works alongside development partners to deliver large-scale learning and business growth programmes to support the entrepreneurial economy. Learn more about AMI Enterprise at www.africanmanagers.com/enterprise AMI Enterprise is hosting two upcoming virtual events as you prepare for 2023 1. LinkedIn Live Conversation: Why does supporting workplace learning for your team matter? Date: 29th Nov, 2022 | Time: 12pm GMT / 1pm WAT / 3pm EAT Venue: LinkedIn Live AMI Enterprise MD, Asha Mweru Mbowa lead a discussion with business leaders across Africa to discuss how both growing and established organizations can be better positioned to thrive in a competitive business environment by supporting workplace learning for their leadership teams and workforce at large. 2. Live Zoom Session: Agile Learning Practices to Boost your L&D Impact Date: 6th Dec, 2022 | Time: 12pm GMT / 1pm WAT / 3pm EAT Venue: Zoom Expert Facilitator: Taiwo Judah-Ajayi - People Growth Advisor at Dot Asha Mweru Mbowa, AMI Enterprise MD, will host an expert-facilitated virtual webinar on the importance of incorporating agile learning practices into the company culture for improved organization performance. The session provided by Taiwo Judah-Ajayi, People Growth Advisor at Dot, will explain the concept of agile learning in the workplace, how to create and implement them, as well as learn how AMI is incorporating the agile learning practices into AMI's Management Development Programme. “It’s time for Africa to do away with the learning methodologies of the past, not rooted in our own experiences. As an African learning company and a pioneer in this space, we’re excited to expand our enterprise offerings to reach even more professionals and accelerate the pace at which companies working in Africa’s business ecosystem can achieve their goals and put Africa at the center for the global economy.”

Strengthening company culture through staff development All Stories Craig Stuart Position: Culture manager Company: Private Property Programme: Country: South Africa Working in the real estate industry can be high-pressure—and culture manager Craig Stuart of Private Property, South Africa, knows his team needs to be well supported. “As we’ve grown the business, the culture has evolved and developed. It’s a space that has become very pivotal to our business,” he explains. Private Property turned to AMI for an in-house, customised Management Development programme. The different learning approaches worked well for his staff, giving them opportunities to connect through the workshops and peer support groups, but also providing flexibility to learn online at their own pace. Craig has seen significant changes in his team. “The individuals that we backed to do the course have all grown considerably. The changes I’ve seen in individuals have been notable,” he says. The participants agree with his assessment, with 94% reporting improved effectiveness at work, and 87% saying that they were able to apply what they learned. According to Craig, “There was great value in the online content. There was great value in the facilitated session to make it simple for people to learn. That is not something you stumble upon every day.” He and Private Property are already looking ahead to collaborating with AMI again in the future.

Empowering entrepreneurs to innovate during uncertainty All Stories Position: Company: Programme: Country: The 26th of March 2020 will forever be engraved in the minds of South Africans as the day the world as they knew it changed. It was the day the first lockdown restrictions were announced and many business owners had to temporarily shut their doors. Yvonne Dimikatso Mashita of Pretoria, a qualified dietician who was running her mobile health and wellness business, was no exception. However, as Yvonne learned, challenges can be the very catalyst one needs to build courage. Her story dates back to 2012 when she took the plunge and moved to Pretoria to start her own private wellness practice after successfully managing the Dietetics Department at a district hospital in Limpopo. Her new practice did well and steadily grew as she was able to hire two employees until the pandemic hit. “When the lockdown was imposed, I had hope that it would only last for three weeks and then come to an end.” More than a year later, South Africa and many other African countries were still under lockdown. Many businesses were negatively impacted by the pandemic and Yvonne was no exception. “When the lockdown was put into effect, I made 0% revenue because clients could not come to me. During those difficult times, I tried to use my time effectively. I looked into avenues of self-development, opportunities that would help me learn more about entrepreneurship. That is when I came across the AMI Survive to Thrive programme on the show - Talk with Rams. “Survive to Thrive exposed me to tools that I was able to use right away. I learnt how to communicate effectively with my employees, budget, and make necessary adjustments to keep my business running.” Yvonne says the programme helped her find ways to retain her employees and keep her business afloat. She used AMI’s Innovation tool to help her conceptualise and start a new business. “I love how I have become innovative and able to identify new business opportunities. I have now launched a Fitness Cafe in partnership with a local gym. We sell healthy supplements, smoothies, and many other products. We also now provide dietary products to our clients instead of prescribing for them to buy at a pharmacy.” Between March and August last year, Yvonne’s revenue went down. but now things have improved and her revenue is up by 70%. “Knowledge is power. Seek help if you do not know the answer. Surround yourself with the right people and ask a lot of questions. Listen, learn and then apply all that you have learned,” she says.

Back to News Update Africa AMI closes $1.8M Series A to fund pan-African growth 31 Jan 2019 AMI is thrilled to announce our $1.8M Series A funding round to support expansion of our practical and scalable approach to skills development for Africa. French impact investment firm Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P) has invested $1M in AMI, joining our existing funders AHL Ventures and Argidius Foundation, who also contributed to the $1.8M round. Skills development is one of the most exciting challenges and pressing needs facing Africa. At AMI, we’ve developed a practical and scalable solution that is already transforming organisations and careers across the continent, and we’re looking forward to reaching new people and places with this investment. We’re incredibly grateful to all the partners, clients and friends who have supported us on this journey so far. Since our launch in 2014, we’ve developed Africa’s first social learning platform, established offices in Nairobi, Johannesburg and Kigali, and trained over 20,000 individuals through 70 blended learning programmes in 13 African countries. We’ve been privileged to work with multi-nationals like KLM, SC Johnson and Nestle, innovators like Mkopa, Zola, Copia and BitPesa and ambitious regional firms like Kenya’s Equity Group, KCB and Unga, and South Africa’s Pie City and MediaMark. We’ve also rolled out large-scale programmes reaching thousands of entrepreneurs and youth in partnership with major players like MasterCard Foundation, Shell Foundation, USAID, GIZ and others. So much training and education in Africa and globally has focused on credentials and box-ticking. This simply won’t work if we are to unlock the next generation of African talent. We need people doing their jobs well, stepping up to lead, starting and growing businesses. We need organisations powered by strong teams at every level – not just at the top. Over the last few years, we’ve worked really hard to ensure that in all AMI programmes – whether for seasoned executives, hustling entrepreneurs or young people just starting their careers – we focus on on-the-job performance. We don’t do ‘hit and run workshops’ (they might be fun, but they don’t work – the research is very clear on this). We don’t do formal exams (great for school leavers, not so much for managers). We work with our clients to deliver learning journeys that make a real difference to how individuals, teams and whole companies perform. More than 70% of larger companies, and almost 100% of SMEs, report tangible improvements in company performance after working with AMI. This new investment will help us make our innovative web/mobile platform and blended methodology even more impactful and intuitive for companies and individuals across Africa. It will also allow us to adapt and expand our library of 65 online courses and 2000+ practical tools to help fill even more diverse skill gaps, for more organisations, in more languages. We’re always looking for visionary clients and partners who want to transform their teams or empower entrepreneurs and youth across Africa. We’re also always on the look out for talented people to join our growing international team. So if you’d like to talk, please get in touch at info@africanmanagers.com . Thank you! Rebecca, Jonathan and the AMI team Read the full press release here

Empowering Rural Women to Thrive Beyond Borders All Stories Jeanne d’Arc Nyirampakaniye Position: Founder Company: Tuberwe Knitting Tailoring and Handcraft Centre Ltd Programme: Survive to Thrive Country: Rwanda “Learning how my business can thrive has changed my mindset, influenced my business growth and improved my confidence to impact the community and contribute to the country’s economic development as a rural woman,” says Jeanne d’Arc. Encouraged by her desire to find homegrown solutions and contribute to her community’s development, Jeanne d’Arc Nyirampakaniye from Musanze District started her own company, Tuberwe Knitting Tailoring and Handcraft Centre Ltd, which specialises in tailoring and traditional weaving. Jeanne d’Arc’s passion for tailoring developed at the age of 18 when she trained at the “Atelier Sénégalais de Nyamirambo,” one of the most reputable tailoring houses at that time, and was offered a permanent job upon completion. In 2009, Jeanne d’Arc founded Tuberwe Knitting Tailoring and Handcraft Centre and started making and delivering a wide variety of custom clothing including pants, uniforms, knitted clothes and much more exquisite Made in Rwanda products in Musanze District. “As one of Rwanda’s touristic areas with various attractions in addition to being my hometown, Musanze District is the perfect location for my business. The rapidly growing secondary city didn’t just give me the opportunity to reach diverse clients such as public institutions, schools and the surrounding community but also tourists attracted by Volcanoes National Park and the mountain gorillas,” says Jeanne d’Arc. To satisfy customer demand and expand her business, Jeanne d’Arc opened two new shops in Kigali and increased the number of employees to 12 including 8 tailors, two sales representatives, a marketing agent and an accountant. Her goal: reaching a higher market and boosting sales. In addition to producing finely crafted clothes and bags, Tuberwe Knitting Tailoring and Handcraft Centre serves as a hub for women and young people to acquire various handicraft skills. Through the “Hanga Umurimo” programme that was introduced in 2012 to empower Rwandans to come up with business ideas and create jobs, Jeanne d’Arc partnered with the Private Sector Federation and Rwanda Development Board to provide knitting and tailoring courses to young Rwandans. To date, more than 1,000 people including youth and women in rural regions have gained different skills from tailoring to handicraft refining, which has enabled them to create earning opportunities, a significant contribution to rural development and the country’s economic growth. Jeanne d’Arc is also one of the entrepreneurs who has benefited from the entrepreneurship programmes initiated in 2020 through the African Management Institute’s partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Covid-19 Recovery and Resilience Programme. She successfully completed AMI’s Business Survival Bootcamp and enrolled in the Survive to Thrive programme offered to small business owners and designed to empower and support them in taking their businesses to greater heights. In May 2022, the AMI Resilience Prize recognized Jeanne d’Arc’s business as the most resilient and impactful in the Northern Province. As a result, she received a cash investment of Rwf 1,000,000 (USD 1,000) and additional business tools. For Jeanne d’Arc, applying what she learned has given her a clear direction and the confidence to set growth goals for her business. “Learning how my business can thrive in difficult times like Covid-19, managing employees and assigning them duties, and recording all business transactions have been the key benefits from AMI’s entrepreneurship programmes. This has really given my business a clear direction and I now know how to prioritize tasks according to my growth goals,” says Jeanne d’Arc. Jeanne d’Arc adds that all the skills she has gained from AMI’s programmes have made her confident to expand her business by increasing production, and establishing more shops around the country and she now plans to conquer markets across East Africa. To learn more about the African Management Institute and its work in Rwanda, visit www.africanmanagers.org/ami-rwanda .

Creating Green Jobs, One Rural Community at a Time All Stories Richard Mwangi Position: Founder Company: Organic Fields Programme: Grow Your Business Country: Kenya When Richard Mwangi founded Organic Fields Limited, he had a bold vision: to tackle the growing problem of food waste in Nairobi while restoring the health of Kenya’s depleted soils. His solution? An innovative organic fertiliser made by composting market waste, enriched with biochar, rock meal, and other organic materials. But like many purpose-driven entrepreneurs, Richard soon ran into key challenges. The business lacked strategic direction, clear customer segmentation, and solid financial systems. “We knew the problem we were solving,” Richard reflects, “but we had serious gaps. How do we forecast growth, raise the right funds, or even segment the farmers we serve?” That changed when Organic Fields joined AMI’s Grow Your Agribusiness programme. Through AMI’s practical training and hands-on support, Richard and his team began to reimagine the business. They developed a detailed five-year strategic plan and overhauled their financial systems, introducing formalised accounting, reliable projections, and investor-ready tools. “We restructured our entire financial department,” Richard explains. “We also gained clarity on what investors look for and how to tell our story through numbers.” The programme also revealed two major blind spots: a narrow market focus and weak fundraising capacity. Organic Fields had been content serving existing customers, but the programme pushed them to think bigger. “It opened our eyes to new customer segments, new markets, and even sparked ideas for product development,” Richard says. The result? A compelling pitch deck, refined fundraising strategy, and fresh partnerships. More importantly, a mindset shift from maintaining a business to scaling one. Perhaps most transformative was the shift in how Organic Fields approached its customers. Before AMI, they marketed broadly to ‘farmers.’ Today, they target distinct segments, from kitchen gardeners to export producers, with tailored products and messaging. “This changed everything. We now understand our customers better and can innovate around their specific needs.” The programme’s impact didn’t stop at strategy. Today, Organic Fields employs over 70 people, 75% of whom are women and youth, working across waste collection, composting, and production. The company has trained and deployed 20 field agronomists and more than 300 rural women as village-based agents who demonstrate products, train peers, and boost adoption in hard-to-reach areas. “The programme helped us unlock both business growth and social impact, and that’s what makes it so powerful, ” Richard notes. From transforming waste into regenerative fertiliser to creating dignified green jobs in rural communities, Organic Fields is showing what’s possible when business and impact grow together. “AMI helped us realise we had a bigger opportunity,” Richard says. “The programme challenged us to expand our reach, innovate our products, and empower more people.” Now stronger, more strategic, and ready for scale, Organic Fields is charting a new path for sustainable agriculture in Kenya. Download Richard Mwangi's Story Download AMI's 2024 Impact Report

An artist builds his business skills All Stories Njabulo Johnson Position: Entrepreneur Company: Programme: Start Your Business Country: South Africa Njabulo Johnson had been working as an artist and entrepreneur in Durham, South Africa, when a friend told him about a business planning programme offered by AMI. He saw this as a great opportunity to expand his skill set. “Sometimes with business you get so focused within the business that you don’t keep an open mind,” he explains. “So I just wanted to be informed and see what other opportunities are out there.” Njabulo appreciated how the programme delved into the practices of running a business, particularly helping him with goal-setting, customer management, and networking. “It was very useful because it forces you to focus on each aspect of your business,” he explains. The flexibility of the online courses also worked well for Njabulo. “You can do the course while running your business,” he says. “You can log onto the course any time when you have free time.” Njabulo has no regrets about joining the AMI programme. “I would definitely recommend this programme for other entrepreneurs. You get to find out your skills, what skills you can improve on your business. I think information is power, and the more you know, the more you can develop your business.”