Partnering in Africa

The economy of Africa is growing, and it’s not just businesses that are paying attention. Business schools must be involved as well, which is one reason why Smith now has three African partner schools.

The newest exchange partner is Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Morocco. An expansion of Queen’s University’s existing partnership between the Faculty of Arts and Science and UM6P’s Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Science, this new agreement, announced in January, allows two students in the Commerce program to spend a semester abroad in Morocco each year. Smith also welcomes two students from UM6P.

The Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Science at UM6P is focused on analysis and public policy as it relates to challenges in Africa. The perspective of the Global South is central to its course offerings.

Smith’s partnership with the faculty represents its first with a school not solely focused on business. Commerce students will have the opportunity to take courses in international relations, law and public policy, as well as electives including China and Africa, Post-Colonial Studies, African Arts, Heritage and Literature, Globalization vs. the Nation State, or The Political Economy of Climate Change. 

“A global perspective is foundational to a business education today. The business world is diverse and, as such, it is essential for students to experience different perspectives and understand different cultures,” said Wanda Costen, dean, Smith School of Business.

Over the last decade, Africa has become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. By 2030, the continent will be home to nearly 1.7 billion increasingly affluent people. Consumer and business spending is expected to hit US$6.7 trillion, according to the Brookings Institution.

Smith now has three partner schools in Africa. In addition to UM6P, Smith signed exchange partnerships with Lagos Business School in Nigeria in 2021 and Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa in 2018.

Overall, Smith currently has exchange partnerships with more than 130 top-tier schools in more than 40 countries around the world.