The Association of African Business Schools held its 2026 Connect Conference in Addis Ababa from May 13 to 15, marking the first time Ethiopia hosted the event.
The three-day conference took place at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Africa Hall under the theme “African Values, Global Futures: The Role of Business Schools in Driving a Transforming Continent.” Kibur College served as the host institution and welcomed more than 150 participants including deans, policymakers and researchers.
Eba Mijena, director general for higher education academic affairs at the Ministry of Education, and Kenenisa Lemi, secretary general of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, both called for closer ties between business schools and industry. AABS Executive Director Lana Elramly and Board Chairman Maurice Radebe also spoke on the need for ethical and competitive graduates.
Sessions covered artificial intelligence, digital transformation and youth skills. Delegates visited the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and several cultural sites in the capital. The event ended with calls for stronger continental cooperation in education and innovation.