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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

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.

Clementine Nirere District - Nyaruguru The Impact Footprint Growth Guide: Clementine Nirere, 28 Location: Southern Province, Nyaruguru District, Kibeho Sector, Gakoma Cell, Viro Village Total Ecosystem Portfolio: 236 Youth MSMEs Trained & Mentored Demographic Breakdown: 160 women, 76 men, 1 persons with disabilities Driven by a strong commitment to community service and a desire to see young people improve their livelihoods, Clementine Nirere became a Growth Guide after years of working closely with communities through different government programs. Through this experience, she developed a deep connection with the people she served and saw the role as an opportunity to continue supporting youth while creating meaningful and lasting change within her community. Through her work, Clementine has supported a significant portion of the youth in her area, helping them strengthen how they manage their businesses and understand their financial performance. Her approach focuses on practical habits that many young entrepreneurs often overlook, particularly the importance of tracking income and expenses. She observed that many youth were running businesses without knowing whether they were making a profit, a challenge she had also faced personally. By introducing simple record-keeping practices and leading by example, she has helped shift how young entrepreneurs approach their businesses, making them more structured and informed. Her impact is especially visible in how she addresses barriers to financial access. One of the most common challenges she has identified is the lack of collateral, which prevents many young people from accessing loans. In response, she encourages them to form or join groups, enabling them to access financial services collectively and improve their chances of securing funding. While none of the youth she supports have yet accessed loans, mainly because these opportunities have not fully reached her area, she continues to prepare them so they are ready to take advantage of them when they become available. Clementine’s work is also shaping mindsets within her community. By encouraging young people to take initiative, organize their businesses, and build discipline, she is helping them move from informal and uncertain operations toward more sustainable and growth-oriented enterprises. Her guidance is not only improving business practices but also building confidence and a sense of responsibility among the youth she works with. Through this role, Clementine has also experienced personal growth. She has adopted stronger financial discipline in her own business by consistently recording her income and expenses, which has improved her understanding of her own performance and strengthened her ability to guide others effectively. Her aspiration is to see all young people in her community become self-reliant, financially empowered, and actively engaged in building better futures for themselves. She believes that with the right mindset, support, and willingness to act, young people can overcome challenges and create meaningful progress. Her message to young people is clear: stop waiting, take initiative, and start building with what you have. She encourages them to work hard, seek guidance, and take advantage of available opportunities, believing that real change begins when young people decide to take control of their own growth. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Subscribe to AMI Newsletters and receive tailored content! Choose from quarterly insights from our CEO, monthly lessons for HR leaders, or actionable impact updates. Stay ahead of the curve. Subscribe to AMI Newsletters We offer three newsletters to bring you the latest insights from AMI's teams and programmes. Subscribe to the newsletter that aligns with your interests to receive tailored content. AMI Quarterly Newsletter Kenya Read key insights from our CEO Every quarter, our CEO shares insights from our reports, papers, and case studies, focusing on key takeaways in the learning and development industry Subscribe to AMI news and updates 38,086 organizations receive this newsletter Submit I agree to AMI’s privacy policy . People Power Newsletter Kenya Designed for senior HR Leaders Once a month, we share meaningful lessons on workplace learning to help you build confident managers and leaders and drive real results Subscribe to People Power Disruptive L&D leaders read this newsletter Submit I agree to AMI’s privacy policy . AMI Insights Newsletter Kenya Designed for impact partners Actionable insights from a decade of delivering learning programmes at scale across Africa, sent to your inbox each month Subscribe to AMI Impact updates 80% of our audience finds this newsletter insightful Submit I agree to AMI’s privacy policy .

From Plastic Waste to Powerful Teams: How EcoBrixs Doubled their Output All Stories Salma Elias Position: Chief Operations Officer Company: Ecobrixs Programme: Leadership Development Programme Country: Uganda When Salma Elias stepped into her role as Chief Operations Officer at EcoBrixs in 2023, the social‑enterprise recycler was expanding fast, but the growing pains were real. “ My position required me to fulfil a lot of duties, and among the things that I spotted most was a gap in communication and also a gap for the team to adapt to the new changes, ” she recalls. The company was experiencing a wave of internal transitions, with new systems being introduced, leadership gaps were emerging, and frontline staff were unprepared for the increased pressure and expectations. Communication was particularly strained. Updates weren’t reaching the right people, reporting lines were unclear, and there was a lack of structure to support the team through the changes. Looking for a practical way to align her workforce and equip them for the rapid changes, Salma enrolled in AMI’s Leadership Development Programme (LDP) . “ The programme came at a time when I was seeking new perspectives and leadership development. What stood out for me was how practical and relevant the training was to the work we do every day.” She particularly appreciated tools around strategic planning, adaptability, and a structured communication framework, which she tailored to EcoBrixs’ context. Through the skills and tools gained from the programme, Salma began to set up weekly planning sessions so every department could break big goals into achievable tasks, introduced clearer reporting lines, and shifted her own leadership style from command‑and‑control to coaching. She also embraced delegation and leadership distribution, which resulted in empowered department heads who could proactively address issues. This resulted in a notable decrease in disciplinary issues, with as few as two reported monthly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the distributed leadership approach. The results surfaced quickly. Internally, EcoBrixs’ plastics‑receiving line doubled monthly collections from 50 tons to 100 tons , while production output climbed toward a target of 250 tons. Revenue followed the same curve, jumping from $107,000 in 2023 to more than $770,000 in the first quarter of 2025. Staff numbers also grew from 25 to 85 , while disciplinary cases fell dramatically. Salma has also transformed personally. Early burnout gave way to a balanced, coaching-oriented style that nurtures leadership in others. EcoBrixs’ self-sustainability ratio has already climbed from 30 percent to 60 percent , and the team is pushing toward 80 percent by year-end. Strategic planning has also played a critical role in this growth. By helping departments set clear, achievable objectives aligned with EcoBrixs’ long-term vision, the team gained clarity and cohesion. “The team is ready to embrace new systems. They have embraced and owned the company’s vision and mission,” Salma says. Beyond the numbers, communication has been transformed. Weekly meetings now include sign‑language interpreters so deaf and hard‑of‑hearing staff can contribute. Factory assistants have grown into technical officers, and department heads volunteer for further management training. “Changes come with a lot of demands, but AMI’s Leadership Development Programme helped us create a structure where people welcome change and move on to be more productive. The knowledge I acquired has given the team self‑drive, and it’s evident in everything we do.” Salma’s story shows how strengthening one leader can unlock an entire organisation’s potential, turning recycled plastic into recycled possibilities for communities across Uganda. Download Salma Elias' Story Download AMI's 2024 Impact Report

Reach for Growth Join other business owners from across Africa, you will focus on achieving your aspirational business growth goals and improving your business management skills through interactive virtual workshops, practical online tools & courses, and peer-group learning. All Programmes Open Enrolment Pan-African Aspire Infused with Stanford Seed Expertise Infused with Stanford Seed Expertise CATEGORY Entrepreneurship & Business Growth DESIGNED FOR Entrepreneur, Business Owner & Team FORMAT Virtual DURATION 6 Months COST $650 per business NEXT COHORT START Febrarury 2027 Apply Now Overview For Africa’s Ambitious Business Owners Developed exclusively for Africa's ambitious business owners, this practical business growth programme equips leaders with the core skills, tools, and strategies to grow their businesses, lead teams, and diversify revenue streams. Key Outcomes Focus Areas Addressing Risks & Opportunities Building Grit and Resilience in Leadership Resource Identification Strategic Thinking Strategy & Business Planning Team Building and Empowerment Learning Journey PHASE 1 Get Set Up for Growth: Planning and Money PHASE 2 Lead for Growth: Talent PHASE 3 Identify Growth Opportunities: Customers PHASE 4 Financial Analysis: Money PHASE 5 Build Talent Pipeline: Talent PHASE 6 Plan for Growth: Planning PHASE 7 Growth Network What's Included Who Can Enroll? For Business Owners & Founders The main applicant and participant is the Business Owner, CEO, or Founder of the business For Leadership Team: Business owner accompanied by up to 2 senior leaders Business Profile Years In Business: Business in operation for more than 1 year Revenue: Generated between $30,000 – $400,000 in annual revenue in the last financial year Employees: The business has a minimum of 3 full-time employees Internet Enabled: Smartphone/internet connection to access online tools, courses, and the online community Performance-Oriented: Willing to share key performance/financial data (so that you and we can learn about your growth progress). 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. We had an ambitious vision to improve healthcare in Ethiopia, but the way we operated wasn't built to scale. AMI's Aspire Programme helped us build the systems, strategy, and the leadership we needed to grow sustainably. Today, Waliif Healthcare has grown from 35 employees to more than 250, with annual revenue exceeding US$5 million. We're now sharing what we've learned, with other Ethiopian businesses coming to us to strengthen their own systems and ways of working. Eng. Workineh Gudissa CEO Waliif Healthcare Share The tools were a game changer. Before Aspire, we kept postponing decisions while managing daily operations. Now, we have a clear process for making both big and small decisions. As a result, our revenue has grown, and our business continues to thrive, thanks to Aspire. Raphael Opiyo Obiero Founder Nawiri African Sprouts Ltd The program helped me realize that I’m dealing with people with different temperaments, skillsets, and different levels of adaptability. So I learned about myself through this program and learned to manage the people that I was leading, and that has been so helpful. Yaa Obenewaa Okudzeto CEO Built Services Consult One of the most significant impacts of the programme was that I now have a team that can support me in achieving my business goals. The vault of tools provided by Aspire was also incredibly beneficial, as it allowed me to assess the health of my business, identify areas that needed improvement, and learn how to work on those areas. Wamuyu Ndegwa Founder Tira Studio 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 Start Your Learning Journey Today Apply Now

Delivering exceptional customer service starts with the right mindset and skills. This programme equips employees and team members with best practices for customer service by exploring customer behavior, managing client relationships, identifying customer needs, and fostering a customer-focused culture. All Programmes Short Programme Customer Focused Culture Delivering exceptional customer service starts with the right mindset and skills. This programme equips employees and team members with best practices for customer service by exploring customer behavior, managing client relationships, identifying customer needs, and fostering a customer-focused culture. Live Virtual (Online) 1 - 2 Months Request Information Designed for New managers, middle managers, supervisors & leaders Learning Journey Phase 1: Know Your Customers Understand customer demographics and purchasing behaviors Analyze why customers choose your product or service Phase 2: Build Customer-Centric Relationships Develop strategies to foster long-term customer engagement Scale customer relationships for sustained business growth What's Included This 1-2 month short programme includes: Four cohort-based Learning Lab workshops Action Learning Project Access to 25 online courses and 500+ practical tools and resources Graduation event & AMI certification Custom Learning @ Scale Enterprise-Wide Learning For organizations seeking to enhance customer service across teams, AMI offers a tailored Customer-Focused Culture Programme as an enterprise-wide learning solution. This approach enables companies to embed a consistent customer service culture throughout their workforce while adapting content to specific business needs. Impact @ Scale AMI partners with institutions and development organizations to scale customer service excellence across industries. By offering localized, virtual, and in-person training, we ensure that customer service best practices are implemented effectively across diverse markets. Cohorts collaborate on action-learning projects to apply insights directly to real business 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 This journey has been a learning curve, teaching me the value of resilience and persistence. I used to struggle with giving feedback, but now I can communicate effectively and delegate tasks, which has significantly improved my team’s performance. Sylvia Achando Human Resource & Admin Solar Panda Goal setting was something we hadn’t focused on before. Now, whenever a woman comes to us, we start with setting clear, actionable goals. Immy Nakyeyune Founder Mkazipreneur I highly recommend this programme to other entrepreneurs. It helps you identify your strengths and the skills you need to grow your business. Knowledge is power—the more you learn, the better you can develop and scale your business. Njabulo Johnson Entrepreneur Impilo Ka Lova 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. Grow Your Business Pan-African 30th September 2026 View Open Programme Overview Building a truly customer-focused culture requires a deep understanding of customer behaviours, needs, and expectations. The Customer-Focused Culture Programme equips professionals with practical tools and strategies to transform customer service experiences. Participants will learn how to profile customers, map the customer journey, and manage critical touchpoints to ensure seamless service delivery. The programme also covers stakeholder management, best practices for handling difficult customer interactions, and strategies for fostering long-term client relationships. Through interactive learning labs, action-based projects, and AMI’s extensive digital resources, learners will gain the skills needed to enhance customer satisfaction and create lasting business impact. Key Outcomes Customer Understanding & Service Excellence Identify customer needs and provide tailored solutions Adapt to diverse customer behaviors for improved service delivery Customer Relationship Management Strengthen customer relationships to enhance loyalty and retention Handle challenging conversations and resolve customer issues effectively Strategic Customer Engagement Implement customer service strategies that drive long-term success Master stakeholder management to improve overall client interactions Focus Areas Customer Journey Customer Profiling Customer Service Strategies Customer Touch Points Customers/Challenging Conversations Handling Difficult Managing Customer Relationships Stakeholder Management

An Exclusive AMI Enterprise Networking Evening Register Now Additional Info Event Objectives Through peer engagement, real-world stories, and interactive discussions, you will gain a clearer perspective on what it takes to scale organizations the right way. This event is designed to: Explore the leadership shifts required to scale organizations effectively Surface real challenges leaders face when scaling teams and performance Demonstrate how leadership development drives measurable business outcomes Build meaningful relationships within a trusted community of leaders Event Highlights Curated Networking with Industry Leaders Engage in high-quality, structured networking with senior leaders, HR professionals, and decision-makers across industries. Client & Alumni Testimonials Hear first-hand from AMI clients and programme alumni on how leadership development has transformed their teams and business performance. Launch of The Leadership Circle Be part of the launch of AMI’s Leadership Circle : a curated community of high-growth leaders committed to continuous learning, peer exchange, and building organizations that scale the right way. Expect movement. Expect laughter. Expect honest conversations. Uganda Leadership An Exclusive AMI Enterprise Networking Evening In-Person Kampala, Uganda Theme: Leadership that Scales Organizations the Right Way. This exclusive AMI Enterprise Networking evening brings together a curated group of senior leaders, HR decision-makers, and high-performing managers for an evening of meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and practical insights on how to build leadership capacity that enables sustainable growth. Thursday, 21st May 2026 🕔 5:00 – 9:00 PM Register Now

Experience AMI's unique learning approach designed for Africa's business leaders. We combine research-backed methods with a practical, hands-on approach to drive real results. Discover how we empower individuals and organizations to achieve their goals. The AMI Approach Learning that powers growth. AMI learning delivers outcomes for African business champions and teams. Rooted in research, AMI’s learning approach draws on the simple, and yet powerful idea, that people learn by doing. Designed to meet the unique needs of Africa’s ambitious entrepreneurs, managers, and professionals, AMI’s practical learning approach, guides learners to develop the winning behaviours and practices that power performance and yield business outcomes and organisational success. AMI’s practical approach to unlock results Learning, doing, & performing to power growth. Traditional Training stops at “knowing” “Hit and run” traditional training ends when a learner memorises something they are taught in a passive learning environment. There is no application, no behaviour change and no business impact. Learning, Doing, Performing & Growing AMI’s practical learning approach goes further, guiding learners to implement the winning behaviours and practices that power performance, growth and success. 93% of AMI learners say they have applied what they learned on the job 40,000+ businesses supported in 39 countries since 2013. 86% of businesses report improved performance after engaging with AMI AMI Continuous Learning Model Our Evidence-Based Method: A Four-Stage Process, On Repeat AMI’s continuous learning model follows a four-stage cycle, which repeats over the course of each programme. The ultimate goal is tangible business outcomes, through a focus on the application of behaviours and practices that are proven to win. Our tech-forward approach starts with a ‘Discover’ diagnostic phase to ensure every learning journey is targeted and relevant. Learners then engage in live interactive ‘Learning Labs’ led by Africa’s top facilitators. Between workshops, they access practical tools and training from our digital learning platform, and apply new behaviours and practices on the job, and in the business. The result is improved performance - for learners, and their organisations. Explore the AMI learning experience The AMI Learning Experience & Features Designed to Deliver Outcomes AMI’s 4-stage practical learning approach drives real-world application and outcomes: Discover Diagnostic AMI’s team and diagnostic tools discover and map learning needs to business and organizational goals and outcomes. From there, targeted learning is planned and designed. Diagnostic tools Tailored learning journeys Benchmarking Continuous Measurement Engage Live Learning Learners participate in live workshops led by Africa’s best facilitators, covering practical tools and skills that can be applied on the job and in the business. Experience-driven learning “Learning Lab” workshops Expert, local facilitators Peer learning & role-playing Apply On Demand Access to content on our learning platform and app, helps learners tackle challenges, apply new skills and tools on the job, and measure success through peer feedback. Contextual Content Video-based courses Downloadable tools Web & mobile-enabled Embed On the Job Improved performance is embeded and reinforced with ongoing access to AMI’s library of content, and nudges from our platform and team, prompting regular application of behaviour, tools, and skills. Action learning projects * Change challenges * Accountability partners * Personal development plans * Guided 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. 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. Expore AMI’s Programmes > A Learning Path for Every Business Journey Our approach empowers Africa's businesses to achieve their targeted goals. Every business or organization is at a different stage in their journey. Likewise, each leader or employee requires different skill sets and ways to win. Our practical programmes focus on introducing new practices and behaviours, targeted for the needs of the business and individual. Entrepreneurship & Business Growth AMI entrepreneurship and business growth programmes help business owners and their teams develop the skills and practices that Africa’s micro, small, and medium-sized businesses need to grow and build resilience. Targeted Outcomes Entrepreneurial & business management skills Increased revenue & profit Business growth Job creation Business resilience & survival Leadership, Management & Professional Development AMI’s leadership, management, and workplace learning programmes support professionals at the continent’s most ambitious companies and organizations, helping them drive performance and results. Targeted Outcomes Professional leadership & management skills Improved individual & team performance Higher employee satisfaction Increased engagement More motivated workforce

Who It's For Managers at different stages of their leadership journey who are responsible for team performance. Executive Leadership (The Visionaries) Senior leaders responsible for strategy, performance, or transformation, including; CEOs, founders, and executive team members Operational & Functional Leadership (The Architects) Department heads and functional leaders including; Senior managers leading digital, operational, or strategic initiatives What Will Be Different in Practice Decisive Application Make clearer, more confident decisions about where and how AI should be applied. Value-Based Prioritization Prioritize AI initiatives based on business value, feasibility, and risk. Strategic Alignment Align AI activity to organizational goals rather than isolated use cases. Tailored Roadmapping Define a clear AI adoption path that fits their organization’s readiness and ambition. Stakeholder Credibility Communicate AI decisions, trade-offs, and risks with greater clarity and credibility. For African Organisations AI Leadership: Building a Winning AI Strategy A practical programme for senior leaders who need to make confident, grounded decisions about how AI should be used in their organisation. Designed for fast-moving African organisations, the programme helps leaders move beyond experimentation and hype to a clear, actionable AI strategy linked to real business value. CATEGORY Leadership DESIGNED FOR Senior Leaders FORMAT Virtual DURATION 6 - Weeks COST $ 250 NEXT COHORT START 10th November 2026 Apply Now How Behaviour Is Built Our approach is grounded in proven behaviour-change techniques and real workplace communication challenges. Facilitated Learning Labs Grounded in real workplace communication challenges and applied learning methodology focused on what actually works. Practice & Application Practical communication tools you can apply immediately, with guided practice between sessions using real work scenarios. Behaviour Embedding One core communication behaviour embedded through repeated use and reflection, building sustainable habits. The tools were a game changer. Before Aspire, we kept postponing decisions while managing daily operations. Now, we have a clear process for making both big and small decisions. As a result, our revenue has grown, and our business continues to thrive. Raphael Opiyo Obiero Business Owner & Entrepreneur East Africa I have attended business programs in some of the best schools in the world. To say that the Aspire program is the most eventful and practically enriching program is an understatement! As a company, we owe you, AMI and Stanford a lot. Dankishiya Saleh Hadi Dankish & Associates Ltd Nigeria Hear From Other Industry Leaders "I have attended business programs in some of the best schools in the world. To say that the Aspire program is the most eventful and practically enriching program is an understatement! As a company, we owe you, AMI and Stanford a lot." Dankishiya Saleh Hadi Dankish & Associates Ltd. Nigeria "The tools were a game changer. Before Aspire, we kept postponing decisions while managing daily operations. Now, we have a clear process for making both big and small decisions. As a result, our revenue has grown, and our business continues to thrive." Raphael Opiyo Obiero Business Owner & Entrepreneur East Africa Programme Details Learning Journey What's Included Who Can Enroll? What's Included Two live facilitated learning labs Practical performance tools and resources Guided practice and application materials Certificate of completion Access to AMI learning platform and community Who Can Enroll? Senior leaders responsible for strategy, performance, or transformation, including: CEOs, founders, and executive team members Department heads and functional leaders Senior managers leading digital, operational, or strategic initiatives Your Learning Journey Week 1 & 2: Kick-off: Setting a baseline Week 3 & 4: Laying the ground work Week 5 & 6: Trouble shooting and embedding changes After Week 6: Sustainability & further growth Investment $250 Comprehensive programme including live sessions, practical tools, and ongoing support Apply Now Click to download the portfolio Programme Details Learning Journey What's Included Who Can Enroll? What's Included Two live facilitated learning labs Practical performance tools and resources Guided practice and application materials Certificate of completion Access to AMI learning platform and community Who Can Enroll? Senior Managers: Experienced managers leading teams or functions who want to strengthen their performance management approach. Team-Leads: Managers navigating difficult leadership transitions and learning to manage performance effectively Your Learning Journey Phase 1 & 2: Kick-off: Setting a baseline Phase 3 & 4: Setting expectations and giving feedback Phase 5 & 6: Trouble shooting and embedding changes After Phase 6: Sustainability & further growth Investment $250 Comprehensive programme including live sessions, practical tools, and ongoing support Apply Now View the AMI Pan Africa 2026 Calendar Click to download the calendar Why It Matters Communication Isn't Clear When communication isn't clear, decisions slow down, accountability weakens, and momentum is lost. Managers Rely on Instinct Many managers rely on instinct, without simple structures that help messages land and lead to action. Influence Remains Inconsistent Without consistent communication approaches, influence across teams and stakeholders becomes unpredictable. How Behaviour Is Built Our approach is grounded in proven behaviour-change techniques and real workplace communication challenges. Facilitated Learning Labs Grounded in real workplace performance challenges and applied learning methodology. Practice & Application Practical performance tools you can apply immediately, with guided practice between sessions. Behaviour Embedding One core performance behaviour embedded through repeated use and reflection. Why It Matters Performance Issues Go Unaddressed Many managers struggle to address performance issues early and effectively, allowing problems to compound over time. Unclear Expectations Team members often don't understand what good performance looks like, leading to misalignment and frustration. Inconsistent Feedback & Coaching Feedback is avoided or inconsistent, and coaching conversations don't lead to sustained improvement. Weakened Accountability Over time, this weakens accountability and team performance across the organisation. Why This Approach Behaviour-Led Learning Focused on real work, not theory. We teach you what actually works in practice. Practical Tools Communication tools you can apply immediately to your team, not frameworks that sit unused. African Context Designed for African organisational contexts and the everyday leadership realities you face. Why It Matters The AI Revolution: AI is already reshaping productivity, decision-making, and competitive advantage. The Implementation Gap Many organisations struggle to turn interest in AI into meaningful results. The Leadership Dilemma: Leaders are often unclear on where to invest, what to prioritise, and how to balance opportunity, risk, and readiness. Risk Mitigation: Without a clear strategy, AI initiatives stall, duplicate effort, or create unintended risk. Why This Approach Behaviour-Led Learning Focused on real work, not theory. We teach you what actually works in practice. Practical Tools Communication tools you can apply immediately to your team, not frameworks that sit unused. African Context Designed for African organisational contexts and the everyday leadership realities you face. Ready to Build a High Performing Team? Start your journey to stronger team performance with practical, behaviour-focused learning. Invest just $250 for 6 weeks of transformative learning. Get Started Today Schedule a Conversation

Celebrating 10 Years as an African Champion for Africa’s Business Champions. Our 2023 Impact Report shares key learnings, inspiring stories, and data-driven insights from our journey. Uncover how we're evolving our model to drive business outcomes through skills development for Africa's champions. Download the AMI 2023 Impact Report (English) Download the AMI 2023 Impact Report (French) Featured Stories From Medical Expert to Business Leader: Liberian medical e ntrepreneur creates 14 new jobs Read Story Harvesting Success: Focused support enables YES group to access finance Read Story Setting clear objectives helped my business thrive: Clementine’s Journey to Success Read Story Brewing a Better Future: The Leadership Transformation at Spring Valley Coffee Read Story 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. 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." Read the Report Download the AMI 2023 Impact Report (English) Download the AMI 2023 Impact Report (French) View previous AMI Impact Reports >

Reach for growth with the AMI's Aspire Business Growth Program! This 6-month virtual program, infused with Stanford Seed expertise, empowers business owners and their teams to scale their businesses and achieve their goals. Learn more and apply today! Open Programme Aspire Designed for growth stage business owners and their teams, Aspire blends AMI's practical business growth learning experiences with the world-class expertise of Stanford Seed to accelerate business growth through skills, tools and strategies. CATEGORY BUSINESS GROWTH & ENTREPRENEURSHIP DESIGNED FOR Entrepreneur, Business Owner & Team FORMAT Virtual DURATION 6 Months COST $650 per business * This cost covers 3 people i.e. the business owner plus 2 other senior members of the team NEXT COHORT START Febrarury 2027 Apply here Reach for Growth Infused with Stanford Seed expertise, this unique AMI guided learning journey supports growth-stage small and medium-sized businesses to reach for growth scale, with key business team members learning alongside the business owner. "I have attended business programs in some of the best schools in the world. To say that the Aspire program is the most eventful and practically enriching program is an understatement! As a company, we owe you, AMI and Stanford a lot." Dankishiya Saleh Hadi, Dankish & Associates Ltd., Nigeria Overview For Africa’s Ambitious Business Owners Joining other business owners from across Africa, you will focus on achieving your aspirational business growth goals and improving your business management skills through interactive virtual workshops, practical online tools & courses, and peer-group learning. Infused with Stanford Seed Expertise Unique to the Stanford Seed-sponsored edition of Aspire, your learning journey will include a live guest lecture from the Stanford Graduate School of Business Faculty. Performance Benefits The top 15-20% performing businesses in each cohort will receive pro bono access to Stanford Seed mentors, as determined by the level of commitment. Key Outcomes Establish effective business systems and structures Identify and target the right customer segments Develop impactful marketing and sales strategies Set and achieve measurable goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) Recruit, train, and retain skilled employees Ensure accurate financial reporting and manage cash flow efficiently Focus Areas Addressing Risks & Opportunities Building Grit and Resilience in Leadership Resource Identification Strategic Thinking Strategy & Business Planning Team Building and Empowerment Learning Journey PHASE 1: Get Set Up for Growth: Planning and Money PHASE 2: Lead for Growth: Talent PHASE 3: Identify Growth Opportunities: Customers PHASE 4: Financial Analysis: Money PHASE 5: Build Talent Pipeline: Talent PHASE 6: Plan for Growth: Planning PHASE 7: Growth Network What's Included The program runs for 6 months. Each month includes: 120 min. live learning lab/webinar where the topic/concept for that month is introduced by AMI expert facilitators. An online learning platform where you will be expected to to download tools and resources for continuous learning and A pod this small peer meeting where founders meet to discuss and problem solve. This cycle happens every month and your commitment is 3 to 4 hours per week. During the 3rd month, Stanford Graduate School of Business Faculty provides guest lecture. After the 6 months of learning, you can apply for mentorship and project based consultants from the Stanford Seed, this comes at no additional cost. Who Can Enroll? For Business Owners & Founders The main applicant and participant is the Business Owner, CEO, or Founder of the business For Leadership Team: Business owner accompanied by up to 2 senior leaders Business Profile Years In Business: Business in operation for more than 1 year Revenue: Generated between $30,000 – $400,000 in annual revenue in the last financial year Employees: The business has a minimum of 3 full-time employees Internet Enabled: Smartphone/internet connection to access online tools, courses, and the online community Performance-Oriented: Willing to share key performance/financial data (so that you and we can learn about your growth progress). The Faculty & Team Sam Kimera Facilitator Baba Shiv Stanford Guest Lecturer Themba Nkomo Aspire Learner Success Manager Rehema Kamotho Aspire Growth Marketing Manager Chialuka Anele Aspire Growth Marketing Manager Jeffrey S. Prickett Global Director, Stanford Seed 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. 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. Explore AMI's Learning Approach A word from Aspire Alumni We had an ambitious vision to improve healthcare in Ethiopia, but the way we operated wasn't built to scale. AMI's Aspire Programme helped us build the systems, strategy, and the leadership we needed to grow sustainably. Today, Waliif Healthcare has grown from 35 employees to more than 250, with annual revenue exceeding US$5 million. We're now sharing what we've learned, with other Ethiopian businesses coming to us to strengthen their own systems and ways of working. Eng. Workineh Gudissa Learn More Book a Consultation Connect with our Enrolment Team Connect on Whatsapp Certificate of Completion Start Your Learning Journey Today Apply for Aspire About AMI and Stanford Seed’s Collaboration Close Stanford Seed is collaborating with African Management Institute (AMI) to provide an exclusive offer for early-stage founders and business owners. The goal of the AMI and Stanford Seed relationship is to help your business achieve its aspirational growth objectives by blending AMI’s business growth programme with Stanford Seed’s expertise. Scholarship Support For a limited time, Stanford Seed is providing partial scholarships for the Aspire Business Growth programme to qualified applicants.