Groupe Supdeco Dakar has officially launched, in partnership with HEC Paris, the HEC Paris × Groupe Supdeco Dakar Excellence Preparatory Classes, a new academic program designed to prepare Africa’s brightest talents for admission to the world’s most prestigious business schools.
The launch ceremony, held at the Noom Hotel Dakar Sea Plaza, brought together leading figures from academia, government, diplomacy, and the business community, alongside media representatives, partners, students, and their families. The event marks a significant milestone in the academic partnership between Groupe Supdeco Dakar and HEC Paris, one of the world’s leading institutions in management education.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
Built on a strategic partnership, the program reflects the shared ambition of HEC Paris and Groupe Supdeco Dakar to provide African students with a world-class academic pathway that meets the highest international standards.
Integrated into Supdeco Dakar’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), the program will enable students to strengthen their academic English, analytical thinking, critical reasoning, leadership, and case-solving skills, while benefiting from personalized coaching to prepare competitive applications for the world’s leading business schools.
In his opening address, Abdoul Aziz Sy Junior, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Groupe Supdeco Dakar, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to educating a new generation of African leaders capable of thriving in an increasingly competitive global environment. He emphasized that this initiative is fully aligned with the vision that has guided Groupe Supdeco Dakar for more than three decades: delivering innovative, high-quality education with a strong international outlook.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
During the ceremony, Arona Cissé, Director of Campus France Senegal, and Philippe Oster, Senior Executive Director in Charge of International Affairs at HEC Paris, highlighted the importance of international academic mobility and the need to provide African students with high-quality guidance and preparation to access the world’s best management programs.
Philippe Oster also explained why HEC Paris chose to partner with Groupe Supdeco Dakar, emphasizing the strong alignment between the two institutions in terms of academic excellence, educational standards, and their shared commitment to supporting Africa’s future leaders.
A Three-Year Program Designed for Future Leaders
The HEC Paris × Groupe Supdeco Dakar Excellence Preparatory Classes offer a comprehensive three-year support program. Students will receive intensive training in academic English, critical thinking, leadership development, and business case analysis, along with personalized coaching for entrance examinations and applications to leading international business schools.
The program is designed to provide students with the academic, methodological, and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in highly competitive international environments.
An Inspiring Success Story: Diawo Sarr
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the testimony of Diawo Sarr, a final-year student in Groupe Supdeco Dakar’s fully English-taught Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), who has recently been admitted to the prestigious HEC Paris Master in Management program.
She shared her personal journey, the challenges she overcame, and the invaluable support she received throughout her studies at Supdeco Dakar. Her experience serves as an inspiring example for future candidates aspiring to pursue excellence.
Diawo Sarr becomes the second student from Groupe Supdeco Dakar to join HEC Paris’s renowned Master in Management program, further demonstrating the quality of the institution’s academic training and the opportunities created through this exceptional partnership.
A Powerful Global Alumni Network
The ceremony also highlighted the strength of the HEC Paris global alumni network. On this occasion, Habib Mbaye, President of the HEC Paris Senegal Chapter, shared his experience and emphasized the importance of mentorship, professional networking, and lifelong connections within the HEC Paris community.
The event concluded with a question-and-answer session followed by a press briefing, during which representatives from HEC Paris and Groupe Supdeco Dakar reaffirmed their shared ambition to make the Excellence Preparatory Classes the benchmark program in West Africa for students aspiring to join the world’s leading business schools.
A New Benchmark for Higher Education in Africa
Through this initiative, Groupe Supdeco Dakar reinforces its commitment to offering innovative academic pathways that meet international standards while providing young Africans with outstanding opportunities for academic and professional success.
With the launch of the HEC Paris × Groupe Supdeco Dakar Excellence Preparatory Classes, a new gateway now connects Dakar to the world’s leading academic institutions, helping to educate the next generation of leaders who will shape Africa’s future.
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are now open.