Africa Sustainability Leadership Programme (ASLP)

You are invited to challenge pre-existing assumptions, explore new perspectives, and engage deeply with the ideas shaping sustainability transitions. Through guided reflection, faculty dialogue, and practical exercises, the programme encourages you to rethink how you understand risk, value, responsibility and leadership in a rapidly changing world.  

You will explore how economic systems, environmental pressures, and social dynamics interact to shape organisational outcomes. Through interdisciplinary cases and facilitated discussion, you will learn to interpret complex systems, identify leverage points, and make decisions that account for long-term impacts across sectors and geographies. 

Throughout the programme, you will develop a project focused on a real organisational or ecosystem challenge. With guidance from faculty and peers, you will refine the problem, design practical interventions, and build an actionable strategy. This process ensures that learning translates into tangible outcomes beyond the ‘classroom/coursework’. 

The programme engages directly with the realities of operating across African markets while drawing insights from international policy, finance, and sustainability practice. You examine case studies and policy developments that reflect both regional complexity and global trends, enabling you to lead effectively within African contexts and international systems. 

You will be joining a diverse cohort of leaders from business, finance, policy, and civil society. Through structured dialogue and collaborative exercises, relationships will be built that extend well beyond the programme. These networks become platforms for continued learning, partnership, and collective/collaborative action on sustainability challenges. 

Sustainability leadership goes beyond technical expertise, and through reflective exercises and facilitated conversations, you explore the values and motivations that shape your leadership. This process helps you align personal purpose with professional influence, strengthening your ability to act with clarity and conviction in complex environments. 

Date: 1 Jul – 12 Aug 2027

Format: Virtual 

Location: Self-paced within a 40-day window  

Date: 22 – 27 Aug 2027 

Format: In-person 

Location: GIBS Campus, South Africa  

Date: 26 Sept – 1 Oct 2027 

Format: In-person 

Location: University of Cambridge, United Kingdom  

Date: 3 – 4 Nov 2027 

Format: Hybrid 

Location: GIBS Campus, South Africa  

• Current or emerging leadership role with the ability to influence strategy, policy, decision-making, or organisational outcomes.
• Demonstrated capacity to drive change within their organisation, sector, or community.

• Evidence of interest, experience, or commitment to sustainability, responsible leadership, ESG, climate action, social impact, or related fields.
• Clear motivation for participating in the programme and applying the learning to create meaningful impact.

• Consideration will be given to creating a diverse and balanced cohort across sectors, industries, geographies, gender, organisational levels, and lived experiences. Flexibility on the 15 years (10-15 years, where depth of experience or advocacy can compensate for fewer years). 
• Applicants with distinctive perspectives, expertise, or experiences that will enrich peer learning are encouraged to apply.

• Ability to self-fund/be funded by their organisation, fully participate in the programme and engage actively in discussions, collaborative learning, and applied leadership challenges.

Flexibility Clause: While the above criteria will guide selection decisions, the Selection Committee may exercise discretion in considering applicants who demonstrate exceptional potential, unique experiences, or distinctive contributions not fully captured by the formal criteria.