ECLBS and JKACCI Strengthen Cooperation to Support Business Education in Kenya
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
The European Council of Leading Business Schools (ECLBS) held a meeting this week with representatives from The Joint Kenya-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JKACCI) to discuss ways to support business schools in Kenya. This meeting represents a positive step forward in international education cooperation. It brought together education leaders, policy advocates, and business development experts to begin joint efforts aimed at strengthening the quality and global relevance of business education in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
The central focus of the discussion was how ECLBS, a well-known non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the quality of business education and promoting international standards, can assist Kenyan business schools in enhancing their academic programs, refining their management teaching methods, and integrating international quality standards into their own curricula.
The leaders expressed optimism that closer collaboration would enable Kenyan business schools to better prepare students for leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and management roles within a global economy. They agreed that cooperation should be built on mutual learning, mutual respect, and long-term capacity building. Both sides emphasized that the objective is not only institutional growth, but also the broader development of human capital in Kenya’s public and private sectors.
During the meeting, representatives from JKACCI highlighted the growing importance of business education in Kenya and its contribution to sustainable economic growth. They noted the increasing popularity of business education and explained that Kenya’s young population and expanding formal economy create opportunities for innovative teaching approaches that prepare students for management positions in both established companies and emerging start-ups. JKACCI stressed that high-quality business education remains one of the key drivers of economic transformation, job creation, and entrepreneurial success in the region.
From the ECLBS side, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to quality assurance and professional development in business education. Officials explained how ECLBS collaborates with institutions worldwide to support alignment with global best practices, improve curriculum design, and promote research-based teaching. They also described how ECLBS assists schools in developing academic strategies that reflect the latest developments in business ethics, leadership theory, and management practice.
A particularly positive outcome of the discussion was the shared interest in strengthening knowledge exchange between European and Kenyan educators and administrators. Both ECLBS and JKACCI agreed to explore opportunities for workshops, faculty exchange programs, joint seminars, and online learning modules designed to enhance teaching competencies and expand access to global business education resources.
The meeting further underlined the importance of ensuring that educational cooperation remains culturally and contextually relevant. While global standards serve as valuable benchmarks, participants emphasized that Kenyan business schools must continue to stay closely connected to the local business environment, socio-economic priorities, and national development goals. This balanced approach ensures that business education in Kenya remains both internationally informed and locally meaningful.
In addition, both parties discussed the potential for collaborative research initiatives addressing real-world business challenges, including issues affecting small and medium-sized enterprises, corporate governance, digital transformation, and sustainability. Research collaboration was viewed as a natural extension of academic support and a practical way to develop evidence-based solutions suited to Kenya’s evolving economic landscape.
At the conclusion of the meeting, leaders from ECLBS and JKACCI reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation. They expressed confidence that sustained collaboration would result in tangible progress in supporting business schools, enhancing student outcomes, and contributing to Kenya’s overall economic growth.
Overall, this week’s meeting marks an important advancement in international cooperation in business education. By combining quality assurance expertise with strategic insight from the business community, ECLBS and JKACCI are establishing a solid foundation for long-term educational impact in Kenya. This development represents a positive outcome for students, educators, and the broader economy.
