Study African business in Lyon, France — and get ahead of everyone
Africa is home to the world's fastest-growing populations and consumer markets, and hosts one of the fastest-growing trade corridors on the planet — with Asia. Yet almost no Western business school teaches how business is actually done there. The IEA — Institute for Entrepreneurship in Africa, a school of École de Commerce de Lyon – EFCM (Groupe École de Commerce de Lyon), does exactly that, from Lyon, France.
Why this specialization is a career edge
- Scarcity — thousands of graduates compete on "digital marketing"; very few can negotiate a distribution deal in Abidjan, structure an OHADA company, or manage a supply chain from Shenzhen or Marseille to Dakar.
- The Asia–Africa corridor — Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Korean firms are investing massively in African infrastructure, telecoms, energy and retail. They need managers trained in African business practice. So do European corporates and commodity traders.
- France as gateway — a shared language with 25+ African economies, the OHADA harmonized business-law zone, direct connections, and a dense corporate network between Lyon, Paris and African capitals.
Programs (taught in French, in Lyon)
- Bachelor in Entrepreneurship & Business in Africa — 3 years, post-secondary: management fundamentals plus African market environments, financing, logistics, OHADA law, and one African business language.
- Mastère / MBA in Entrepreneurship in Africa — graduate level: market-entry strategy, fundraising, Europe–Africa international trade, supply chain, business trips.
Admissions for international students
File review (CV, transcripts, motivation letter) answered within 72 working hours, then an interview in Lyon or by videoconference. Admitted students receive the enrollment documents required for the French student-visa process. Tuition and program details are provided at the interview stage.
Apply or request the program brochure
Use the application form (French page) or write to us in English — we answer both.
Apply online Write to admissionsSee also (in French): starting a company in Senegal · the AfCFTA free-trade area · Africa–Europe import-export.