Eighteen brand new doctoral students have embarked on their studies with Henely Africa, a major milestone for the school’s presence in Africa.
The future of African business education took a significant leap forward this week as Henley Business School Africa celebrated the launch of its first-ever Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) programme. Eighteen pioneering candidates embarked on their doctoral journey, the first of many who will shape new knowledge, influence practice, and lead with purpose across the continent.
The launch represents the culmination of years of meticulous planning and development. The DBA serves as the crowning achievement of Henley Africa’s comprehensive ‘ladder of learning’ – a seamless progression from undergraduate studies through the MBA programmes to doctoral-level research, all now delivered in South Africa.
‘The DBA programme is the last rung on our ladder of learning that provides relevant and impactful business and management education to working South Africans at every level of their career journey,’ said Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of Henley Africa.
Henley’s commitment to doctoral education isn’t new. The business school blazed the trail in 1992 when Professor Arthur Money introduced the very first DBA programme in the UK. Now, more than three decades later, that pioneering spirit extends to Africa, where the need for rigorous, contextually relevant business research has never been greater.
The programme bridges the crucial gap between practice and theory, transforming senior professionals into thoughtful researchers capable of generating knowledge that addresses real-world African business challenges. As Henley UK’s Dr Anastasiya Saraeva, who spoke at the launch event, noted: ‘The DBA has always represented something unique at Henley: a space where senior professionals don’t just consume knowledge – but create unique solutions to real-life business problems.’
The launch of the DBA programme significantly enhances Henley Africa’s research capabilities and adds considerable gravitas to its already impressive portfolio. The school now boasts five established research centres, with recent studies covering everything from ESG adoption and emerging technologies to climate action and artificial intelligence’s footprint across the continent.
‘This doctoral programme is more than an academic achievement – it’s a strategic investment in Africa’s intellectual capital,’ says Foster-Pedley. ‘By enabling senior executives and professionals to pursue rigorous research without leaving the continent, Henley Africa is democratising access to world-class doctoral education whilst ensuring that the research remains deeply rooted in African business contexts.’
The Henley Africa DBA is meticulously designed for the continent’s business environment. This part-time, professional doctoral degree is:
Candidates benefit from comprehensive support, including access to experienced supervisors throughout their research journey, state-of-the-art facilities at the Johannesburg campus, and integration into Henley’s global community of over 100,000 alumni from more than 160 countries.
Professor Danie Petzer, Pro-Dean for Research and Doctoral Studies at Henley Africa, emphasised the programme’s potential impact: ‘The programme aims to elevate African research on a global scale and encourages candidates to explore relevant topics that can drive change on the continent.’
The 18 inaugural candidates represent just the beginning. Their research will contribute to a growing body of knowledge that influences business practice across Africa and beyond, establishing new benchmarks for business and management education on the continent.
Are you ready to take your expertise to the doctoral level? The next intake for the Henley Africa DBA programme begins on 19 October 2026. This is your opportunity to join a distinguished community of researchers and contribute to the advancement of African business knowledge.
Applications for the 2026 DBA programme will open in November 2025 for professionals with a master’s degree and at least five years of senior management experience who are passionate about creating meaningful change through rigorous research.
To learn more about the Henley Africa DBA programme and application requirements, visit https://www.henleysa.ac.za/doctor-of-business-administration-dba
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