With a GDP per person of less than $200 a
year, Ethiopia is the poorest African country in which GBSN has worked. On the
African continent, its population of more than 80 million is exceeded only by
Nigeria's. Nearly two-thirds of adults are illiterate. The economy is based
mainly on agriculture, and after centuries of centralized statism, the private
sector is weak and undeveloped.
Food for Thought
“One of the major drivers, in recent years, has been students’ growing
interest in engaging in developmental activities in emerging markets.
The best and brightest will pick a business school that offers such opportunities
– and this is equally true for top-of-the-line company recruitment.
Hence the degree of business school engagement in Africa and other developing
regions has become an increasingly important competitive offering.”
- Guy Pfeffermann, "Into Africa", Global Focus, Summer 2008