ESSEC and BANK OF AFRICA Launch BOA EXCELLENCE
ESSEC Business School – Africa Campus and BANK OF AFRICA Join Forces to Enhance Access to Quality Education for Young African Talents in Rabat
Through the "BOA EXCELLENCE" program, both institutions are launching a financing scheme aimed at deserving high school graduates from six African countries, with the first academic year scheduled for September 2027.
A Partnership to Foster Equal Opportunities
The agreement signed between ESSEC Business School – Africa Campus and BANK OF AFRICA aims to mitigate financial barriers that might prevent certain young African talents from accessing high-quality international higher education.
The "BOA EXCELLENCE" program will initially target high school graduates from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. Candidates will be identified during their high school years and selected based on their academic performance, with a focus on merit and equal opportunity.
Particular attention will be given to students who demonstrate excellent results but whose families lack the resources necessary for financing private education. Candidates from public high schools will be prioritized.
A First Cohort Expected in September 2027
The initiative plans to enroll an initial cohort of 12 students in September 2027, with two beneficiaries from each participating country.
Three successive cohorts are anticipated, bringing the total number of students to a maximum of 36 throughout the program’s rollout. The beneficiaries will enter the International Bachelor Program in Business Administration (IPBA) at the ESSEC Business School – Africa Campus, located in Rabat.
This program aims to provide young, high-potential Africans with the opportunity to pursue a demanding academic path while alleviating financial constraints that could hinder their access to this training.
BANK OF AFRICA to Finance Students’ Education
The model adopted is based on a mutual commitment between the students and the partnering institutions. Beneficiaries will need to demonstrate diligence and maintain good academic performance, while the program includes financial support throughout their studies.
According to the announced terms, students will not incur any fees during their studies. Tuition costs will be covered by a student loan provided by BANK OF AFRICA, which will also pay the interest on this loan for the duration of the program, as well as the living expenses of the beneficiaries.
Funding can cover up to three years of education. This mechanism aims to allow selected students to focus on their academic journey without the financial burdens related to their studies and daily living becoming a significant obstacle.
ESSEC to Handle Student Admissions and Monitoring
On its end, ESSEC Business School – Africa Campus will be responsible for the academic selection of candidates, their support, and monitoring their progress throughout the program.
The institution also plans to facilitate beneficiaries’ access to accommodations at its Rabat campus, in accordance with the conditions defined in the partnership agreement.
The collaboration between ESSEC’s educational expertise and BANK OF AFRICA’s financial support thus forms the cornerstone of this program. It seeks to bridge the gap between the demands of an international education and the needs of young talents from resource-limited backgrounds.
An Investment in African Talent
With "BOA EXCELLENCE," ESSEC Business School – Africa Campus and BANK OF AFRICA share a common ambition: to contribute to the development of African skills and broaden access to quality training.
By targeting deserving students from six countries and providing financing that covers tuition and living expenses as outlined, the program aims to promote equal opportunities and nurture a new generation of African professionals.
The inaugural academic year, set for September 2027, will mark the first step in this initiative, which will extend over three successive cohorts.
