Alibaba’s Jack Ma joins African Leadership University as visiting professor

Jack Ma, the renowned founder of Alibaba Group and the Jack Ma Foundation, has been appointed as a visiting professor at the prestigious African Leadership University (ALU). This announcement brings Ma’s wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and sustainable development to the university.

Globally recognised for his accomplishments, Ma was designated as a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate by the United Nations in 2016. Additionally, he served as a Special Adviser to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for Youth Entrepreneurship and Small Business. In 2018, Ma initiated Africa’s Business Heroes, a philanthropic venture spanning a decade, with the aim of acknowledging and supporting 100 African entrepreneurs through grants, training programs, and comprehensive assistance.

Notably, prior to his groundbreaking work with Alibaba, Ma had a background in teaching, making his appointment as a visiting professor a natural extension of his enduring dedication to education.

Fred Swaniker, the visionary founder of the African Leadership University, expressed his enthusiasm for the appointment, highlighting the extraordinary opportunity for ALU’s budding African entrepreneurs to learn directly from one of the world’s greatest business moguls.

Ma’s expertise, particularly as a technology innovator and founder, is expected to be invaluable to the students, inspiring them to dream big, push boundaries, and pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations with unwavering passion and determination.

ALU itself is a renowned pan-African institution, boasting a cutting-edge campus located in Kigali, Rwanda, as well as a college in Pamplemousses, Mauritius.

The university’s overarching vision is to cultivate the next generation of leaders capable of transforming Africa and making a global impact. By 2035, ALU aims to nurture three million ethical and entrepreneurial African leaders, positioning them to drive sustainable development and create positive social change while forging successful and fulfilling careers.

Ma’s appointment as a visiting professor aligns seamlessly with the university’s mission of providing a world-class education that empowers young leaders to contribute to sustainable development and make a meaningful difference in society, all while building prosperous and rewarding professional paths.