Africa is often described as the 'sleeping giant'—a continent rich in potential but lacking in skill development and enhancement. Over the past decade, Africa's economic growth has been steadily increasing. The Nairobi Global Center plays a crucial role in this growth, serving as the gateway to East Africa and the region's leading trade hub. The Nairobi Center offers workshops and seminars led by faculty from Columbia University in collaboration with local experts and industry specialists to benefit the local business community.
OUR PROGRAMS
ONGOING
The Nairobi Center partnered with Columbia Business School and launched the Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa (EC-Africa) program. EC-Africa endeavors to assist mid-sized African companies in attaining the necessary skills, tools, and networks that professionalize and grow their businesses in today’s global environment. So far, the Center has recruited 20 companies from 10 African countries (Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia), representing 15 industries with a total enrollment of 58 senior leaders. EC-Africa is led by Kamel Jedidi (Jerome A. Chazen Professor of Global Business), William Duggan (EC-Africa faculty director), Angela Quintero (program director), and Zina Sockwell (associate director)
PAST
The Center continues to organize infomative sessions on business empowerment covering themes such as entrepreneurship, skill enhancement, managing growth, current trends and financal management.
Entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of thriving communities worldwide. People often admire those who tackle challenging tasks and succeed. In a sense, the same determination that inspired Ernest Shackleton to embark on his dangerous voyage to Antarctica fuels today's entrepreneurs as they take risks to build successful companies and, in turn, strengthen their communities. In this session, you will hear stories of struggles faced by entrepreneurs in Nairobi and the United States, along with insights into how they overcame these challenges.
Entrepreneurship is tough, but successful entrepreneurs are often celebrated. A study shows that Africa has the highest percentage of entrepreneurs but faces stiff competition. With increasing funding, these entrepreneurs produce quality products but need guidance in accessing international markets. The Columbia Global Centers in Nairobi hosted a panel to share tips on expanding globally with limited resources, building networks, and introducing products effectively.
What are the biggest challenges to bringing large-scale green investments in African countries? How can we ensure that globally active corporations are held to the same standards in Africa as in their home countries when assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) impact, and more precisely, their impact on nature and climate? How can green projects ensure strong local stakeholder inclusion and a high reinvestment rate of project proceeds in the region?
We held a forward-looking webinar to answer these questions and propose solutions regarding how digital technologies can allow for a much more inclusive process and provide greater transparency in developing projects that have a real impact. Watch it here.