Bridging Cultures. Building Futures.

The Olin Africa Business Club is building connections that endure.

Recognizing Africa’s vast potential and growing influence on the global stage, the Olin Africa Business Club (OABC) has, for more than five years, served as the center point of a growing community of African students at WashU Olin Business School. OBAC prides itself on creating a community that will help build connections, advance careers, and support WashU Olin students in their transitions from Africa to pursuing an education in St. Louis.

As a student, Ony Mgbeahurike, MBA 2019, founded the Olin Africa Business Club to “integrate cultural, economic, and business perspectives from Africa into the broader Olin dialogue,” he said. “I chose to come to WashU from Nigeria because I wanted to be part of a community where I could create meaningful impact.”

MBA student and club co-president Dorcas Aborah said OABC was instrumental in her decision to attend WashU. “I wanted a world-class institution with a strong business program, a small class size where I could build authentic relationships with people from across the globe, and a program with strong African representation to help support my transition,” she said.

The support Aborah received began before she even started at Olin. “OABC members picked me up from the airport, helped me shop for essentials, and made sure I was settled in my apartment,” said Aborah, who is from Nigeria.

The sense of community that OABC creates isn’t limited to students from Africa. The club’s networking, social, and cultural events are open to all who want to learn about Africa and build community with others. OABC’s flagship event, the Olin Africa Business Forum, features panel discussions from business leaders across Africa, an African-themed gala, and a fashion show.

The innovation and talent coming out of Africa doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves, and I want to introduce Africa to the broader WashU community through my role as OABC co-president.

—Tumelo Magabo, MBA student from Botswana

In addition to the learning opportunities students can access through OABC, Olin also offers a course, Africa Business Landscape, to those wanting to further their knowledge of African markets. Mgbeahurike, now an adjunct lecturer, developed the course while still a student.

Through the OABC and Mgbeahurike’s course, Olin students can tailor their own unique educational experience — one they can’t get anywhere else. “My MBA was enriched through leadership opportunities, exposure to perspectives I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise, and the chance to build something that bridges cultures and continents,” said Magabo.

After graduation, African students can continue to build on the community they created at Olin through the Olin Africa Alumni Association, founded by Mgbeahurike. “The sense of belonging doesn’t end once students leave campus,” he said. “It evolves into a lifelong community of mentorship, collaboration, and career acceleration.”