Initiatives & Events
Wharton African Business Forum
The Wharton Africa Business Forum is an integral component of the Wharton Global Business Forum, the pre-eminent business school event addressing the major economic, social and political trends affecting Africa, Asia, Europe, India and Latin America. Held annually, in Mid November, typically 1,300 participants from around the world converge at Wharton to drive discussions on business issues and developments in these regions.
The Africa Forum explores how institutions and individuals are successfully navigating the African business terrain and employing strategies that enable them to uncover and capitalize on the vast opportunities that Africa presents. For information on the past and upcoming business forums you may visit the official site at http://www.whartonglobal.com/africa
Africa Global Immersion Program
The Africa GIP is a 3-week excursion led by WASA and the MBA programs office. It serves as a platform for experiential learning, exposure, and education, while providing Wharton students with a rare chance to explore and understand the complex but increasingly attractive business environment in Africa. Upon completion of this trip, students will have a heightened awareness of the investment potential of this untapped region of the world.
The GIP will give participants an introduction to three of the continents progressive and growing economies with travel to major geographic regions in sub-Saharan Africa.
An underlying objective of the Africa GIP will be to highlight what works and what does not work on the continent, while focusing on where the future of Africa lies. Students will learn about:
- Major companies shaping the economic environment;
- Political and legal environments affecting business;
- Social and cultural realities of living and conducting business in different regions of Africa
A series of pre-departure lectures given by the African Studies Department at the University of Pennsylvania will give students context on the political, cultural and economic history of the destination countries.
For questions on this program please contact:
wasa-africagip06committee@www.wharton.upenn.edu
WASA Speaker Series
Held bi-annually, this event brings prominent African leaders from the public and private sector to address the Wharton-wide community and offer students perspectives on their careers and the challenges of their industries. Students learn the inside story of key business events and decisions directly from the men and women involved and gain insight into the characteristics and motivations of successful leaders.
African Case Studies
Incorporating Africa into the Wharton curriculum has been a focus area of ours. Apart from authoring Wharton case studies on Africa, WASA has compiled a database of available African cases, and is working with the administration to include these in the Wharton MBA curriculum.
Download a recently authored Wharton case study on private equity investing in Africa by clicking here.
Africa Week
At this African cultural festival held in February, we give Wharton students an opportunity to experience our rich culture through art exhibits, a selection of movies, fashion and delicious cuisine.
Annual Soccer Showdown
The WASA Soccer Showdown is an annual tradition that places 1st years against 2nd years in a battle for the undefeated title. The winning team gets bragging rights and free lunch courtesy of the defeated team.