Ifrane, June 30, 2025 — Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) welcomed 17 experts from across Africa and beyond for the Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit, held June 27 and 28 on its campus. Over two days, thought leaders from academia, business, and the public sector came together to explore the role of entrepreneurial leadership in addressing the continent’s evolving challenges and shaping its future.
The summit is part of Al Akhawayn University’s broader engagement as a member of AFRETEC, a pan-African initiative led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa. Since being selected to join the network in 2024, AUI has been actively contributing to its mission to advance digital and economic transformation across the continent.
Universities as Drivers of Change
In a post-event reflection, Dr. Lakshmi Goel, Dean of AUI’s School of Business Administration, which co-organized the event alongside the School of Science and Engineering and the Employability & Entrepreneurship Office, pointed out the unique responsibility of universities have to convene cross-sector dialogue through such events:
“Academia is a natural fit for these kinds of conversations because universities have a staying power in a country or community that outlasts any entity, think tank, or company. We bring neutrality, a lack of bias, and a long-term perspective.”
During her closing remarks, she also emphasized the urgency of cultivating adaptable mindsets within higher education:
“Having an entrepreneurial mindset is one of the key skills everybody will need as traditional jobs evolve or even disappear. At Al Akhawayn University, that mindset is part of our DNA. The Liberal Arts & Sciences curriculum and American-style education encourage students to build their own value proposition and think beyond fixed paths. Just by being at AUI, they’re already entrepreneurs,” she noted.
Keith Straughan, Panelist and Professor of Global Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, added:
“AUI’s Liberal Arts & Sciences approach complements our engineering focus at CMU Africa. Bringing together different educational models creates richer conversations and more impact.”
He further stressed the role of universities in strengthening pathways to opportunities for youth across Africa:
“Events like this are important in catalyzing conversations that turn into calls to action. With other panelists, we already have writing, research, and entrepreneurial projects underway, and we’re exploring ways to launch new programs across the continent.”
Rethinking Entrepreneurial Education and Ecosystem Support
One of the key takeaways from the summit was the urgent need to rethink how entrepreneurship is taught and supported across Africa. Panelists emphasized that students shouldn’t just learn theory; they need direct exposure to real markets, practical challenges, and repetitive problem-solving to understand what it takes to build and sustain a business.
The discussion also pointed to a lack of coordination across the ecosystem. While support programs exist within the public sector, the private sector, and academia, they often operate in isolation. During the third panel, several speakers called for stronger alignment to help early-stage entrepreneurs access networks, mentorship, and funding.
Changing Perceptions Around Risk
Several panelists reflected on how family expectations, financial pressure, and societal norms affect young people’s willingness to take risks. Soufiane Debbarh, founder of Electrika Motors, described how his decision to start a business was seen as risky and even irresponsible by some.
“People told me I should get a secure job,” he shared. “Now that the business is growing, the mindset is shifting. But getting there was lonely.”
Deborah Bartlett, AUI's Senior Executive for Strategic Initiatives, addressed the cultural perceptions of what she calls “the F word” — failure — in different regions of Africa.
“Failure is treated like the F word in many parts of North Africa,” she said. “If your business doesn’t succeed, banks, society, even family may turn their backs. That stigma kills innovation. But failure is where the real learning happens.” In contrast, she noted, “In East and Southern Africa, it’s a rite of passage, like experience on your CV.”
Training for Local Impact
The summit closed with the award ceremony for the 36 participants of the Certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership, a hands-on training one-month program designed by AUI’s School of Business Administration and AFRETEC for women in the region who have limited access to traditional business education.
“This certificate equipped participants with practical skills in marketing, financial literacy, accounting, and social entrepreneurship,” said Dr. Imad Jabbouri, Professor of Finance at AUI and Project Lead. “It reflects AUI’s strong commitment to societal impact, inclusive empowerment, and meaningful community engagement.”
Beyond building individual skills, the initiative reinforced AUI’s ties with communities across its region, contributing to Morocco’s broader development priorities.
Panelists at a Glance
The summit featured interventions, in no particular order, from:
Deborah Bartlett (AUI), Keith Straughan (CMU Africa), Dr. Munene Mutuma Mugambi (Sustainability Expert), Dr. Hinde Adjar (Entrepreneurship & Social Finance Expert), Jonathan Lobe (U-Investors), Fay Cowper (The Forge), Soufiane Debbarh (Electrika Motors), Nicolas Klotz (AUI), Redallah Idrissi Kaitouni (CRI Fès-Meknès), Mehdi El Alaoui (#ADD), Dr. Elias Erragragui (AUI), Abdelhamid Bennani Bouchiba (AUI), Shah Nawaz Ashraf (UM6P), Dr. Chourouq Haisni (ESCA), Dr. Rebecca Geffner (MACECE), Dr. Mohammed Terchoune, and Amine Ghali Benna (SEW Eurodrive).
About the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC)
The African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC) is a pan-African alliance of technology-focused universities working together to advance Africa’s digital transformation. The network is led by Carnegie Mellon University Africa, a globally recognized engineering institution known for its strong culture of collaboration in research and education.
Learn more by visiting: www.afretec.org