MBA for African entrepreneurs: investment or waste of time?

Let's be honest about what the MBA really brings to an entrepreneur.

1. International network (value: priceless)

This is benefit number one, by far:

• 500-900 classmates becoming decision-makers
• Alumni in every country, every sector
• Facilitated access to investors, clients, partners

For an African entrepreneur, this global network is often otherwise inaccessible.

2. Instant credibility

'INSEAD graduate' or 'Harvard MBA' opens doors:

• Investors take you seriously
• Enterprise clients trust you
• Potential partners respond to your emails

In a context where African entrepreneurs often have to prove more, this is valuable.

3. Finance and strategy skills

Many technical entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of:

• Really understanding term sheets
• Structuring a deal that protects you
• Reading a P&L and making data-driven decisions
• Thinking long-term strategy, not just execution

4. Reflection time

10-24 months to:

• Step back from your business
• Rethink your model
• Explore new opportunities
• Mentally recover from the entrepreneurial marathon

The MBA is not for all entrepreneurs. Here are the profiles for whom it's an excellent investment.

✅ The MBA is worth it if:

You want to scale internationally

• Your business has potential beyond Africa
• You need international partners/investors
• The MBA network will give you access to these markets

You lack business skills

• Technical background (engineer, doctor, developer)
• Gaps in finance, strategy, negotiation
• The MBA will fill these gaps quickly

You want to raise significant funding

• Series A+ targeted
• International VCs in your sights
• MBA credibility will facilitate conversations

You're considering pivoting or creating a new project

• Current business struggling or sold
• Want to restart with more tools
• The MBA is the ideal time for reset

❌ The MBA is probably NOT worth it if:

• Your business is taking off now (critical timing)
• You already have the network you need
• You're >35 with family (opportunity cost too high)
• Your business is very local and will stay that way

Let's do the math without romanticism.

Direct costs

• Tuition fees: €80,000-100,000
• Living expenses: €25,000-40,000
• Total direct: €105,000-140,000

Opportunity cost

• Lost income: Variable depending on your business
• Missed growth: Hard to estimate but real
• Divided attention: Even if you maintain your business

Potential gains

The realistic calculation

If you:

• Raise funds thanks to MBA network: Huge ROI
• Improve your margins by 10%: MBA pays off in 3-5 years
• Change nothing in your business: ROI probably negative

Our recommendation

Only do the MBA if you have a precise plan to use the network and skills. 'It could be useful' isn't enough to justify the investment.

The MBA is not the only option. Consider these alternatives.

1. Short executive programs

• OPM Harvard (Owner President Management): 3 sessions of 3 weeks over 3 years
• INSEAD executive programs: 2-3 intensive weeks
• Advantage: Senior network, limited time away from business
• Cost: €50,000-80,000

2. Prestigious accelerator programs

• Y Combinator: 3 months, funding + network
• Techstars: 3 months, intensive mentoring
• 500 Startups: Accelerated program
• Advantage: Entrepreneurship focus, investment included
• Cost: Equity (6-7%)

3. Structured self-education

• MOOCs from top business schools
• Essential business books
• Proactive networking in your sector
• Advantage: Minimal cost, flexible
• Limit: No diploma, limited network

4. Mentorship and advisory boards

• Recruit experienced mentors
• Create a quality advisory board
• Advantage: Personalized guidance
• Cost: Equity or compensation

When to choose MBA anyway?

The MBA remains superior if:

• You need a complete 'reset'
• The diploma itself will open doors for you
• You want a network of 900 people, not 50

If you decide to do the MBA, here's how to manage your business.

Option 1: Put on pause

• When: Business in early-stage, limited team
• How: Maintenance mode, passive income if possible
• Risk: Loss of momentum, clients leaving

Option 2: Delegate

• When: Solid team in place, documented processes
• How: COO or General Manager handles daily operations
• You: Strategic decisions only
• Risk: Salary costs, loss of control

Option 3: Double life (not recommended)

• Reality: Full-time MBA is intensive
• First quarter: Impossible to do anything else
• After: A bit more flexibility but risky
• Our opinion: Choose either MBA or business

The Liwaza advice

'What you're already doing, you already know how to do. That's the past. The MBA is the future. Focus on the new opportunities that will appear.'

During MBA:

• Talk about your projects with everyone
• Listen to feedback from classmates
• Identify collaboration opportunities
• Prepare your next project, not the current one

The Executive MBA option

If you really can't leave your business:

• Weekend or modular format
• 18-24 months in parallel with work
• Network slightly less strong but equivalent diploma

Liwaza specifically supports African entrepreneurs toward top MBAs.

Our differentiated approach

1. Honest evaluation

• Is the MBA really the right choice for you?
• Analysis of your entrepreneurial situation
• Personalized ROI calculation

1. GRE preparation adapted for entrepreneurs

• 1 hour per day (compatible with your activity)
• Weekends for practice tests
• Flexibility according to your business constraints

1. Building the entrepreneur application

• Valorization of your entrepreneurial journey
• Essays that show vision and impact
• Quantification of your achievements

1. Multi-school admission strategy

• INSEAD: 10-month format, ideal for entrepreneurs
• Harvard: Maximum prestige, entrepreneurial resources
• Stanford: Tech and startup ecosystem

The difficult questions we ask

• Why MBA now and not in 3 years?
• What will you do with your business during MBA?
• How will you concretely use the network?
• Do you have funds without endangering your business?

Our entrepreneur coaches

Our team includes entrepreneurs who did:

• INSEAD and created post-MBA ventures
• Harvard and raised funds thanks to the network

They understand your dilemmas and advise you honestly.

The Liwaza verdict

For the right profile, at the right time, the MBA is an incredible accelerator. But it's not for everyone. Our role is to help you make the best decision for your entrepreneurial trajectory.