Roland Berger and African Development Corporation (ADC) launch scholarship program in Africa with the Lagos Business School

• The program will support the educational and professional development of six business students in Nigeria, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe
• Selected students have the chance to spend two years at the Lagos Business School and to pursue an MBA degree
• The students can also attend a summer session at the Frankfurt School of Finance and work as interns either at Roland Berger or ADC

To promote the next generation of African business leaders and support the educational and professional development of local business students, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and ADC African Development Corporation (ADC) have announced the creation of a new scholarship program. The program in partnership with Lagos Business School and Frankfurt School of Finance will offer six African students financial support as well as the chance of professional training.

Each year, the annual scholarship program aims to change the lives of six African students focusing on management careers – three from Nigeria will be sponsored by Roland Berger and three from ADC's core countries Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe will be sponsored by ADC. Candidates include aspiring students who cannot afford the tuition and cost of living, but must first qualify for the Lagos Business School's MBA program. Each student will receive the equivalent of around EUR 25,000 over two years.

The selected students will spend two years at Lagos Business School studying for an MBA. In addition, they will attend a summer session at the Frankfurt School of Finance and complete an internship either at ADC or at one of Roland Berger's international offices. The study program focuses on developing management proficiency, leadership skills and the right skills to make sound decisions.

"We are aware of our role in Nigerian society and committed to developing the community in which we operate," says Christian Wessels, Partner at the Sub-Saharan African Division of Roland Berger. The company is opening an office in Lagos, Nigeria as the headquarters for sub-Saharan African operations. Roland Berger's ongoing activities in the region include supporting financial institutions and public and private sector clients in a variety of other industries.

"We want to expand our commitment to the countries we operate in, and it is our view that transfer of knowledge is essential to create value in our investments," comments Dirk Harbecke, the CEO of ADC. ADC encourages investments in Sub-Saharan Africa as the way to create world-class businesses in Africa's frontier markets while motivating the private sector to give back to the community. In particular, ADC transfers international expertise, network and know-how, which are key components for doing business and being successful in Africa.

"For us, this program is just the beginning of our long-term engagement with the economic future of the countries we operate in," says Wessels. While Roland Berger and ADC are making the initial financial commitment, sponsors hope to broaden the program's supporters to include more German and international companies. The goal is to help even more young professionals throughout Africa become capable managers.

Sponsors also plan to establish an alumni network among participants to ensure the program's longevity and continue to build leadership skills for Africa's future.