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.”

Inspired Managers Keep Rwanda’s Hospitality and Tourism Industry Flying High All Stories Rwanda Air Position: Company: Rwanda Air Programme: Country: Rwanda As RwandAir returns to the skies and tourism slowly returns to pre-Covid levels, one thing passengers can count on is that behind the inspired RwandAir experience is an inspired manager. Over the last two decades, Rwanda has positioned itself as a leading luxury eco-tourism and events destination. RwandAir, the country’s national airline, has been central in promoting tourism and trade in the country. When Covid-19 hit, the RwandAir fleet and workforce were grounded, after several months the airline’s management was able to navigate these challenges and come out even stronger thanks to the skills gained through AMI’s Inspiring Managers programme. Established in 2002, RwandAir is one of Africa’s fastest-growing airlines. The airline serves 26 destinations across 21 countries throughout western, central, eastern and southern Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. With more than 700 employees, the airline also plays a central role in the country’s thriving hospitality and tourism industry. In the fourth quarter of 2021 alone, hospitality and tourism services generated 49% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of foreign currency revenues and job creation. However, Rwandan businesses of all sizes were not immune to the impacts of Covid-19. For RwandAir, it wasn’t just the bottom line that took a hit due to reduced tourism and flights. Challenges were also felt as remote work changed how the company managed its teams and ensured productivity. Fortunately, 70 RwandAir leaders from across the company had enrolled in AMI’s Inspiring Managers Programme. Designed for businesses in Rwanda’s hospitality and tourism sector, Inspiring Managers has been offered by AMI since 2019 in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The programme supports organisations and companies in the sector to upskill managers and bolster a key sector of Rwanda’s economy as a result. “When the pandemic broke out, we had to reduce the number of staff at the office and the rest worked remotely. By learning from the programme how to communicate effectively, I became confident to empower my teammates to accomplish their daily tasks properly irrespective of us being in the office,” says Anthony Gatsinzi, Cargo Planning and Pricing Manager at RwandAir. Focused on equipping emerging and established managers with skills to improve their capacity and motivate their teams, Inspiring Managers also provides access to practical tools to help participants apply the skills gained in their workplaces. In the three years of the programme being delivered in Rwanda, more than 20 leading hotels and other institutions companies have participated. Eighty-five percent of participants who completed a recent survey indicated that their competencies have improved. “Before the AMI Inspiring Managers Programme, I was the kind of person who did all my tasks alone, but after the training, I learnt how to communicate effectively and share responsibilities with my team. These days, I use this new approach with the staff that I lead,” says Assia Uwimana, Customer Relations Manager at RwandAir. After completing the programme, she learnt how to share responsibilities with her team and delegate tasks which made the work seamless. “RwandAir’s partnership with the African Management Institute has empowered our managers, which improved the efficiency of the teams they manage,” says Yvonne Manzi Makolo, Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir. “We have started to experience great changes at our workplace including better delivery of customer service, which is our number one goal,” she says. “For me, the African Management Institute came at the right time,” says Aloys Musoni, Customer End-user Outreach Station at RwandAir, who believes managers need more professional skills to help them carry out their daily duties and inspire their teams to deliver and offer better services to the customers. “AMI has helped our teams to be in a better position to achieve RwandAir’s main objective of providing world-class services to our passengers,” says Aloys. As RwandAir returns to the skies and tourism slowly returns to pre-Covid levels, one thing passengers can count on is that behind the inspired RwandAir experience is an inspired manager. As the AMI and Mastercard Foundation continue to support the hospitality and tourism sector to rebound, we look forward to more inspired managers enabling the sector to reach new heights. Learn more about the AMI Inspiring Managers Programme here.

Vous êtes une structure d'accompagnement aux entreprises (SAE) au Bénin , au Sénégal ou en Côte d'Ivoire , et souhaitez développer vos capacités à soutenir les micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) ? African Management Institute (AMI) vous invite à rejoindre un partenariat stratégique qui transformera vos services et aidera à débloquer de nouvelles opportunités de financement. Pourquoi collaborer avec AMI ? Avec plus de 37 000 entreprises accompagnées dans 39 pays, AMI est leader dans le soutien aux MPME en Afrique. Nous avons formé 440 SAE qui, à leur tour, ont accompagné des milliers d’entrepreneurs. Grâce à notre plateforme unique et à nos outils pratiques, AMI maximise l’impact des SAE pour un développement durable des entreprises locales. All Programmes Open Enrolment Francophone Programme Le Lab des SAE Vous êtes une structure d'accompagnement aux entreprises (SAE) au Bénin , au Sénégal ou en Côte d'Ivoire , et souhaitez développer vos capacités à soutenir les micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) ? African Management Institute (AMI) vous invite à rejoindre un partenariat stratégique qui transformera vos services et aidera à débloquer de nouvelles opportunités de financement. CATEGORY Renforcement des organisations DESIGNED FOR Structures d'Accompagnement des Entreprises FORMAT Virtuel DURATION 3 mois COST Gratuit NEXT COHORT START Août 2025 Inscription Overview Le programme LAB des SAE vise au renforcement des capacités pour les structures d’accompagnement des entreprises afin d’améliorer l’accompagnement des PME au Bénin, au Sénégal et en Côte d’Ivoire. À travers une approche pratique et interactive, le programme combine des ateliers virtuels (Ateliers d’Apprentissage) et un accès à la plateforme digitale AMI Learn. Les SAE développeront des compétences techniques, stratégiques et digitales pour améliorer leur performance, structurer leur apprentissage et soutenir durablement les entrepreneurs de leur région. Accompagnés par un Learner Success Manager dédié, ils bénéficieront d’un suivi personnalisé pour maximiser leur impact sur les MPME. Key Outcomes Renforcement des compétences techniques et stratégiques des SAE. Adoption d’outils digitaux et d’approches pratiques pour un accompagnement efficace. Amélioration des performances commerciales des SAE ainsi que les MPME bénéficiant de leur programme. Développement d’une stratégie de financement et accès à un réseau dédié au renforcement de capacités. Focus Areas Accompagnement stratégique et développement entrepreneurial Diagnostic de votre organisation et outils de support pratique Digitalisation des services de soutien aux entreprises Utilisation de nos ressources et outils pour accompagner vos formations aux MPME Learning Journey Phase 1 : Lancement et immersion. Participation à un premier atelier d’apprentissage pour découvrir les outils pratiques et les standards attendus pour l’accompagnement des MPME Phase 2 : Application terrain. Mise en œuvre d’exercices pour organiser votre entreprise et développer le bon apprentissage à destination des MPME. Utilisation des outils digitaux via la plateforme AMI Learn, accompagnés d'un suivi personnalisé par un Learner Success Manager. Phase 3 : Renforcement et ajustement. Deux autres ateliers d’apprentissage espacés sur trois mois pour approfondir les compétences, échanger sur les expériences pratiques et ajuster les approches. Phase 4 : Clôture et certification. Réflexion finale sur les progrès réalisés, remise des certificats de réussite, et accès continu à AMI Learn jusqu’en septembre 2026. What's Included Le programme mixte de 3 mois comprend : 6 ateliers virtuels d'apprentissage 9 cours en ligne et des outils pratiques, accessibles 24/7 1 projet pratique d’accompagnement de vos PME Une cérémonie (virtuelle) de remise des certificats de réussite Who Can Enroll? Les structures d’accompagnement des entreprises du Bénin, du Sénégal et de la Côte d’Ivoire Guided & Supported Learning Journeys 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. Explore AMI's Learning Approach 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. Ami a réussi à réunir des personnes comme nous .Personne d’autre ne faisait cela – rassembler des personnes qui aident les petites entreprises. Cela m’a rendue curieuse de savoir ce que faisaient les autres et quels défis ils rencontraient… Les défis que nous rencontrons sont similaires – trouver plus d’argent. Mais faire partie de cette communauté m’a fait réfléchir à de nouvelles façons de résoudre ces problèmes.Ce n’est pas seulement une question d’argent ; il s’agit de comprendre ce dont les entreprises ont réellement besoin. Paula Mugisa Fondatrice et propriétaire de Teesa Advisory Services Uganda Participante au Roadshow de formation des prestataires BDS Start Your Learning Journey Today Inscription

Vous êtes une structure d'accompagnement aux entreprises (SAE) au Bénin , au Sénégal ou en Côte d'Ivoire , et souhaitez développer vos capacités à soutenir les micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) ? African Management Institute (AMI) vous invite à rejoindre un partenariat stratégique qui transformera vos services et aidera à débloquer de nouvelles opportunités de financement. All Programmes Inscriptions ouvertes Francophone Programme Le Lab des SAE Vous êtes une structure d'accompagnement aux entreprises (SAE) au Bénin , au Sénégal ou en Côte d'Ivoire , et souhaitez développer vos capacités à soutenir les micro, petites et moyennes entreprises (MPME) ? African Management Institute (AMI) vous invite à rejoindre un partenariat stratégique qui transformera vos services et aidera à débloquer de nouvelles opportunités de financement. Catégorie Renforcement des organisations Conçu pour Structures d'Accompagnement des Entreprises FORMAT Virtuel Durée 3 mois Coût Gratuit Date de démarrage Août 2025 Inscription Pourquoi collaborer avec AMI ? Avec plus de 37 000 entreprises accompagnées dans 39 pays, AMI est leader dans le soutien aux MPME en Afrique. Nous avons formé 440 SAE qui, à leur tour, ont accompagné des milliers d’entrepreneurs. Grâce à notre plateforme unique et à nos outils pratiques, AMI maximise l’impact des SAE pour un développement durable des entreprises locales. Présentation du programme Le programme LAB des SAE vise au renforcement des capacités pour les structures d’accompagnement des entreprises afin d’améliorer l’accompagnement des PME au Bénin, au Sénégal et en Côte d’Ivoire. À travers une approche pratique et interactive, le programme combine des ateliers virtuels (Ateliers d’Apprentissage) et un accès à la plateforme digitale AMI Learn. Les SAE développeront des compétences techniques, stratégiques et digitales pour améliorer leur performance, structurer leur apprentissage et soutenir durablement les entrepreneurs de leur région. Accompagnés par un Learner Success Manager dédié, ils bénéficieront d’un suivi personnalisé pour maximiser leur impact sur les MPME. Résultats attendus Renforcement des compétences techniques et stratégiques des SAE. Adoption d’outils digitaux et d’approches pratiques pour un accompagnement efficace. Amélioration des performances commerciales des SAE ainsi que les MPME bénéficiant de leur programme. Développement d’une stratégie de financement et accès à un réseau dédié au renforcement de capacités. Modules clés Accompagnement stratégique et développement entrepreneurial Diagnostic de votre organisation et outils de support pratique Digitalisation des services de soutien aux entreprises Utilisation de nos ressources et outils pour accompagner vos formations aux MPME Parcours d’apprentissage Phase 1 : Lancement et immersion. Participation à un premier atelier d’apprentissage pour découvrir les outils pratiques et les standards attendus pour l’accompagnement des MPME Phase 2 : Application terrain. Mise en œuvre d’exercices pour organiser votre entreprise et développer le bon apprentissage à destination des MPME. Utilisation des outils digitaux via la plateforme AMI Learn, accompagnés d'un suivi personnalisé par un Learner Success Manager. Phase 3 : Renforcement et ajustement. Deux autres ateliers d’apprentissage espacés sur trois mois pour approfondir les compétences, échanger sur les expériences pratiques et ajuster les approches. Phase 4 : Clôture et certification. Réflexion finale sur les progrès réalisés, remise des certificats de réussite, et accès continu à AMI Learn jusqu’en septembre 2026. Ce qui est inclus Le programme mixte de 3 mois comprend : 6 ateliers virtuels d'apprentissage 9 cours en ligne et des outils pratiques, accessibles 24/7 1 projet pratique d’accompagnement de vos PME Une cérémonie (virtuelle) de remise des certificats de réussite Qui peut s’inscrire ? Les structures d’accompagnement des entreprises du Bénin, du Sénégal et de la Côte d’Ivoire Ami a réussi à réunir des personnes comme nous .Personne d’autre ne faisait cela – rassembler des personnes qui aident les petites entreprises. Cela m’a rendue curieuse de savoir ce que faisaient les autres et quels défis ils rencontraient… Les défis que nous rencontrons sont similaires – trouver plus d’argent. Mais faire partie de cette communauté m’a fait réfléchir à de nouvelles façons de résoudre ces problèmes.Ce n’est pas seulement une question d’argent ; il s’agit de comprendre ce dont les entreprises ont réellement besoin. Paula Mugisa Fondatrice et propriétaire de Teesa Advisory Services Uganda Participante au Roadshow de formation des prestataires BDS Des parcours d’apprentissage guidés et soutenus Apprentissage collaboratif Les participants évoluent en cohorte, accompagnés par les intervenants d’AMI, avec des plans d’action, de l’apprentissage entre pairs et des opportunités de réseautage. Soutien technologique continu Grâce à la plateforme web et l’application mobile d’AMI, profitez d’un accès 24/7 à des cours en ligne, vidéos, outils téléchargeables et ressources pratiques, où que vous soyez. Découvrez l’approche d’apprentissage d’AMI L’Afrique au cœur de notre approche Nos programmes sont conçus pour les professionnels et entrepreneurs d’Afrique, avec du contenu disponible en 7 langues, des études de cas locales et des facilitateurs experts du marché. À propos d’African Management Institute (AMI) AMI accompagne les entreprises ambitieuses à travers l’Afrique pour les faire prospérer. Nous croyons que les personnes qualifiées créent des entreprises florissantes, que les entreprises florissantes créent des emplois de qualité et que les emplois de qualité favorisent la prospérité et la dignité. AMI a collaboré avec diverses entreprises et organisations partenaires pour soutenir les entrepreneurs et managers à travers l’Afrique dans la construction et le développement de leurs entreprises tels que Uber, Nestlé, Radisson Blu, la Fondation Mastercard, l’USAID, la Fondation Shell ou encore Equity Bank. AMI a formé plus de 37 000 entreprises dans 39 pays d’Afrique. Les bureaux d’AMI se situent au Kenya, en Afrique du Sud, au Sénégal, au Rwanda, en Ouganda, au Nigeria et en Éthiopie. Commencez votre parcours d'apprentissage dès aujourd'hui Inscription

All Programmes Open Enrolment Ghana FIRST+ II Financial Inclusion Programme CATEGORY DESIGNED FOR FORMAT Virtual DURATION - COST Fully sponsored NEXT COHORT START Overview Key Outcomes Focus Areas Learning Journey What's Included Who Can Enroll? Guided & Supported Learning Journeys 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. Explore AMI's Learning Approach 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. Start Your Learning Journey Today

Back to News Update Africa 2023 Impact Report: AMI added $130M to African economies and impacted 1.5M livelihoods in first decade through support for 37,000 African businesses 12 Jun 2024 The African Management Institute (AMI) has released its 2023 annual impact report, titled 10 Years as An African Champion for Africa’s Business Champions , which highlights how Africa’s leading business and management learning company impacted 1.5 million livelihoods in the last decade through its support of 37,000 African businesses. The report underscores the impact of AMI’s practical learning programmes on business growth and job creation at scale across the continent, with 97,000 jobs created and $130 million in incremental small business revenue generated - with an outsized impact for youth and women. “Africa’s businesses and employees are the continent’s engines of growth and prosperity. Through our decade of providing Africa’s ambitious businesses with practical tools and training, we know that businesses grow faster and people perform better when they engage in practical business learning that can be immediately applied on the job,” said Rebecca Harrison, CEO and co-founder of AMI. “We’re particularly proud of our work with thousands of talented women business leaders across Africa. Our latest data shows women and youth outpace the average on all key business metrics, including revenue growth, job creation and access to finance.” AMI was founded in 2013 to address the lack of effective and scalable business and management learning for Africa’s ambitious business owners and teams. The report outlines lessons and stories from AMI’s high-impact model for business learning and growth support at scale. “We knew that traditional training couldn’t achieve real change. Our approach had to be obsessively focused on practice - providing business owners and their teams with practical tools to underpin the daily habits and behaviors needed to build strong companies,” emphasized Jonathan Cook, AMI’s co-founder and chairman. “In our first ten years, that’s what we’ve delivered and as Africa’s ambitious businesses continue to grow, we’re looking forward to the next decade of spurring further growth.” View the AMI 2023 Impact Report View Report in French Report Overview: Since 2013, AMI has: Resulted in SMEs generating $130 million in incremental revenue Reached 37,000 businesses with its practical training programs. Facilitated the creation of 97,000 direct and indirect jobs. Enabled an average annual revenue growth of 18% for businesses post-Covid Enhanced 1.46 million livelihoods across Africa Key Findings of the Report - 2023 Results Youth and Women-Owned Businesses: Women-owned businesses accounted for more than half of those supported. Women and young entrepreneurs outpaced men in nearly every growth metric: Spotlight on Women in 2023 50% of all participants and 51% of entrepreneurship program participants in 2023 were women. Women-led businesses created an average of 1.4 jobs each per year, surpassing the overall average of 1; 26% of jobs created were for women Women-led businesses had a median annual revenue growth of 20%, exceeding an overall average of 18%. Women-led businesses accessed higher finance amounts ($33,667) compared to male-led businesses ($26,833), with co-led businesses accessing even more ($45,737) Spotlight on Youth in 2023 81% of participants were youth (age 34 and below). Youth-led businesses achieved an annual revenue growth of 24.62%, significantly higher than the average Youth-led businesses also had a higher three-year CAGR at 20.23%. High Return on Investment: AMI delivers sector-leading impact and cost efficiency; For every $1 invested in an AMI programme, businesses generated $48 in revenue, with an estimated 25% of that directly enhancing employee incomes. In 2023 businesses in AMI programmes saw 18.69% median annual revenue growth The top 50 performing businesses created an average of 15.4 jobs each in 2023 and grew their revenue by an average of 169% in one year. MSMEs Access to Finance in 2023: 39.5% of participants accessed finance (an increase from 2022). 77% of those accessing finance obtained loans. Average finance amount was $30,800 (, with a median amount of $4,405). The range of finance raised was $33-$1.2 million. Entrepreneur Endorsed: 88% of entrepreneurs reported that they either would not have or may not have achieved their growth without AMI's support. About AMI The African Management Institute (AMI) enables ambitious businesses across Africa to thrive, through practical tools and training. AMI has reached more than 37,000 businesses and participants from over 39 countries across Africa have been trained and equipped by AMI to grow their business, improve leadership and management, and strengthen their teams. With offices in Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda, the company has over 100 staff with a presence in 10 countries.AMI is a recognized leader in Africa’s business and management learning sector and was ranked by the Financial Times as the second fastest-growing company in the education category on the Africa’s Fastest Growing Companies 2024 list. Learn more about AMI at africanmanagers.com

Back to News News South Africa Uber Eats & AMI Empower Restaurant Entrepreneurs with Practical Tools & Cash Prizes! 26 Jul 2024 The African Management Institute (AMI) recently partnered with Uber Eats, one of the leading food delivery companies, to launch an exciting program that transformed the lives of entrepreneurs and their businesses through practical tools and cash prizes towards their businesses. Over a six-month learning journey with AMI, entrepreneurs gained access to practical business tools, resources, and courses designed to propel their businesses forward. This initiative, known as the Grow Your Business Programme, kicked off with over 200 Uber Eats restaurant partners across South Africa invited in a selection bootcamp focused on setting up for growth. Thabang Calvin of Mofine Foods shared his experience, highlighting how the learning tools helped him improve compliance and leadership skills. The Money Practices Toolkit, in particular, stood out to him as he lacked a financial background and had been running his business based on intuition. “At the beginning of the programme, we were busy applying for the right business compliance with the City of Tshwane and setting up recording systems to capture business transactions. With the Money Practices Toolkit, that is now a possibility. Our revenue has improved because I can negotiate for discount stock prices with suppliers, saving money. I also conducted a customer survey to better understand their needs, which yielded great results,” said Thabang. “When setting growth goals using the Growth Goal Tracker, I used to aim for business objectives without a formal follow-up procedure. This tool helps me track and document progress, showing how far I am from achieving each goal. With no accounting background, the Money Practices tools guided me in recording business transactions. It’s still a learning journey, but the tools are easy to use and come with instructions. We’ve also developed better relationships with suppliers, negotiating better stock prices.” Asive Maxama, owner of Wakanda Restaurant, was among the top three entrepreneurs who received a voucher to grow her business. She focused on Talent Practices, especially Feedback & Coaching, involving her team more in decision-making and improving record-keeping to reduce costs and budget efficiently. “They now have a better understanding of the business, take on greater roles, and go the extra mile. They understand costs and have helped reduce expenses. By including the team and surveying customers for feedback, we’ve improved our reviews and better understand customer needs,” shared Asive. Tinashe Ladner Chinyang, owner of Zondo Chillspot, identified Talent Practices as a key focus from the start, aiming for staff learning, career advancement, and talent planning. “Team members help each other more, no more late arrivals, and they are more confident in their work. They understand the organizational goals better, and the team spirit has improved thanks to the Talent Practice Toolkit. Tools like the Check-in Guide, Competency Grid, Smart Goals, and Motivating People have been transformative. We created profiles for every team member using the Competency Grid, and they have shown a sense of purpose. Regular check-ins have been helpful, motivating them to connect with their inner selves and their work.” These are just a few of the many success stories from entrepreneurs who have benefited from AMI’s practical business tools designed to support growth. At AMI, we are passionate about helping entrepreneurs thrive and build thriving businesses and teams. Through programs like the Grow Your Business practical support training program, focused on growth mentality, we are pioneering Africa’s champions together with our partners. Contact us for more stories like this and to learn how we can partner with your organization.

Beauty Business Grows 300 Percent While Empowering Single Mothers All Stories Mayowa Eremiokhale Position: Founder Company: Mods Salon Programme: Aspire Business Growth Programme Country: Nigeria When Mayowa founded Mods Salon in 2015, she set out to do more than just style hair, she wanted to promote healthy, natural hair care in Nigeria and create a space where women could feel confident and cared for. But behind the scenes, Mods Salon faced growing pains. “One of my biggest challenges before joining the Aspire programme was human resources,” Mayowa shares. “We lacked proper systems. There were no clear processes to reward staff or set goals.” That changed when Mayowa joined AMI’s Aspire Business Growth Programme. With new tools and guidance, she hired an HR officer, introduced regular feedback forms, and began using SMART goals to steer the business. “After Aspire, I was able to run the business more effectively, even when I wasn’t physically present,” she says. The transformation was significant. Modssalon’s revenue grew from $624,752 in 2023 to $943,970 in 2024, and the team expanded from 16 to 64 employees - a 300% increase. “Many of the new hires are women, including single mothers and young people who now support their families through work at the salon,” Mayowa adds. The financial structure of the business also evolved. Mayowa stopped offering credit, improved cash flow, and ensured timely payments to suppliers. “We’ve become more disciplined as a business. We only buy what we can pay for, and that’s brought real stability.” From a passionate idea to a structured, fast-growing business, Modssalon is not only redefining beauty standards but also creating meaningful opportunities for women in Nigeria’s economy. “After Aspire, I was able to run the business more effectively, even when I wasn’t physically present. Our revenue grew by 51%, and we expanded the team from 16 employees to 64. Many of the new hires are women, including single mothers and young people who now support their families through work at the salon.” Download Mayowa Eremiokhale's Story Download AMI's 2024 Impact Report

The CEO Memo: Making the Business Case for What Matters Register Now Why Attend? Imagine pouring your heart into a talent development program—months of planning, data, and passion—only to watch it crumble in the boardroom, overshadowed by “higher priorities.” Your inbox pings with yet another budget rejection, and you’re left wondering: How do I get them to see what I see? If you’re a talent leader, this sting is probably too familiar. You know your people are the backbone of success, but convincing the C-suite to invest feels like speaking a different language. Stop battling uphill. Join us at "The CEO Memo: Making the Business Case for What Matters", a game-changing event built exclusively for talent leaders like you. This isn’t a fluffy conference with vague takeaways. It’s a hands-on, high-impact experience that arms you with the tools, insights, and connections to turn your talent vision into a C-suite priority. Attendees will gain exclusive insights into: Aligning talent strategies with business objectives to accelerate performance Leveraging cutting-edge approaches to attract, develop, and retain top talent Measuring the direct impact of talent initiatives on bottom-line results Through dynamic keynotes, interactive discussions, and peer-to-peer networking, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to elevate your organization’s talent agenda. This is your opportunity to join a select group of forward-thinking leaders reshaping the future of work. Don’t miss this chance to turn talent into your organization’s greatest growth driver. Kenya Leadership, HR & Talent Strategies The CEO Memo: Making the Business Case for What Matters In-Person Villa Rosa Kempinski, Nairobi This event will show how talent leaders can secure executive buy-in, connect people strategies to business goals, and make talent initiatives a boardroom priority. Gain practical tools, executive insights, and data-driven frameworks to turn talent investments into strategic imperatives. Friday, 27 June 2025 5:00 am Register Now

A young manager gains skills and confidence All Stories Abigail Goschen Position: Operations manager Company: UCook Programme: Management Development Programme Country: South Africa As the operations manager for UCook, a meal kit delivery service in South Africa, Abigail Goschen is responsible for supervising more than 40 employees. The start-up’s team is young, requiring significant guidance and motivation from Abigail—who is a fairly young manager herself. Then she joined a six-month Management Development programme by AMI. “I think what really interested me about the AMI programme was just learning more about managing people,” explains Abigail. She had heard of some of the concepts in the course but hadn’t known how to put them into practice. “Learning it properly and being more aware of it gave me more confidence.” Through AMI’s signature blended learning approach, which integrates in-person workshops with peer support and online courses, every participating company saw tangible improvements in the performance of their staff. 97% of participants said they applied what they learned at work. “What I really enjoyed about it was the fact that it was quite a hands-on approach, which I would definitely recommend,” says Abigail.

Partnering with an Impact Investor to Equip Managers Across Africa All Case Studies Case Study Impact at Scale Partnering with an Impact Investor to Equip Managers Across Africa Background Acumen, founded in 2001 by Jacqueline Novogratz, is a global nonprofit that fights poverty through sustainable solutions. It invests in businesses in health, education, energy, agriculture, and housing, prioritizing social impact for low-income communities. Challenge Acumen observed that many of its investee companies struggled with limited leadership talent at the middle and senior management levels. This lack of skilled leadership created constraints, impeding the companies' ability to scale and manage change effectively, which impacted their growth trajectory. Solution Acumen and AMI developed tailored programs for managers and leaders, emphasizing people management and problem-solving. The curriculum featured in-person workshops, practical applications, peer coaching, and an online platform to improve leadership skills. Results The programme enhanced manager performance, with 97% of CEOs reporting new skills. This success led Acumen to fund three more programmes, and several portfolio companies now cover costs for multiple leadership participants. The story behind the journey Global impact investor Acumen saw a major bottleneck in many portfolio companies in Africa. “Talent is the biggest issue for many of our investee companies, whether they know it or not,” said Molly Alexander, head of talent development at Acumen. “The so-called soft skills required to lead teams and successfully manage change are difficult to find, and rarely addressed by traditional training options.” Without strong leadership skills among middle and senior managers, these businesses were limited in their ability to scale. AMI developed programmes focused on people management and strategic problem solving for managers and leaders at social benefit companies from across East and West Africa. Through engaging in-person workshops, hands-on practice, peer coaching, and an extensive online learning platform, the participants gained key leadership skills, and knowledge about organisational transformation and management practices. “Really from the first lab I changed my way of leading,” explains Mathewos Erusmo, chief marketing officer of EthioChicken. “I’m more focused on the listening part and talking less.” Susan Kuria, sales activation manager of Burn Manufacturing, especially enjoyed how practical and collaborative the programme was. “Everyone just gets to interact,” she says. “I love the role plays. There are so many tools attached to every course really to just assess how are you able to apply all those in real life.” Every participant reported applying what they learned directly to their work; 100% of their CEOs saw an improvement in their performance after the programme. In addition, 97% of participants said they acquired brand new management skills. “I need to enroll in something that can enrich me and make me a better person than I am right now, and AMI has been that platform for me,” says Susan. The results speak to the transformational impact of AMI’s blended learning approach. According to Molly Alexander of Acumen, “AMI’s user-centric approach to learning makes them the perfect partner to build programmes for our portfolio companies.” Acumen has since run three further management programmes with AMI. The first cohort was fully funded by Acumen; portfolio companies now pay most of the cost themselves and many send several participants.

Clean Water, Healthy Communities: How Arvia Waters is Changing Lives All Stories Shiphrah Muturi Position: Founder Company: Arvia Waters Programme: Grow Your Business Country: Kenya As a healthcare worker, Shiphrah Muturi witnessed the devastating impact of waterborne diseases on families in her community. Many adults and children suffered from preventable illnesses due to a lack of access to safe drinking water. Driven by a desire to make a difference while also building a sustainable business, she founded Arvia Waters, a company dedicated to providing purified, safe, and affordable drinking water. However, running the business came with challenges. "Before joining the GYB programme, I struggled with poor record-keeping and tracking business performance. Retaining customers was also difficult," Shiphrah recalls. Recognising the need for structured growth, she joined AMI’s Grow Your Business (GYB) programme. The experience transformed her approach to running Arvia Waters. "I was provided with tools that helped me improve operations, including a growth goal tracker, a planner template, and a cost-reduction tool." These resources allowed her to monitor progress, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategies to attract and retain customers. The results were remarkable. With clearer financial management and better marketing strategies, Arvia Waters experienced an 87.5% revenue increase, leading to expansion. "Through the programme, I was able to achieve great profits and open more branches, which performed well because I could now retain customers and offer a high-quality product." “The AMI programme transformed our business. We improved our operations, expanded our reach, and grew our team, bringing on 16 new employees, including 8 women. Seeing how our work is creating opportunities and changing lives keeps us motivated to do even more.” Growth also meant job creation. The business hired 16 new employees, including young sales professionals and delivery personnel under 35, with 50% of them being women. Beyond direct employment, the impact extended further - local suppliers benefited as demand for bottles and packaging materials increased, while the community gained access to clean water, significantly reducing cases of waterborne diseases. Beyond business success, Arvia Waters has had a profound social and environmental impact. "We created a healthier, more productive community by making clean, safe water readily available and affordable," Shiphrah explains. Reflecting on her journey, she credits the GYB programme for equipping her with the skills and confidence to grow sustainably. "Before, my business struggled with low profits and limited expansion due to financial challenges. The programme helped me manage finances better, handle employees effectively, and drive profitability. As a result, I was able to expand, offer more employment opportunities, and create a lasting impact in my community." Shiphrah Muturi’s journey is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship when paired with the right knowledge and support. With a commitment to both business success and social good, Arvia Waters continues to build a future where clean water is no longer a luxury but a right for all. Download Shiphrah Muturi's Story Download AMI's 2024 Impact Report