Business

Master of Business Administration (Executive)

The Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) is a postgraduate programme designed for experienced professionals and senior managers seeking to enhance their strategic leadership and management capabilities without interrupting their careers. The programme provides advanced study of business strategy, leadership, finance, and organisational management.

Core areas include strategic leadership, corporate governance, financial management, organisational transformation, change management, global business, innovation, and executive decision-making. Students engage with real-world business challenges through case studies, simulations, and peer learning.

The programme is offered by multiple universities in Kenya including Kenyatta University through its City Center Campus, USIU-Africa through its Chandaria School of Business, Strathmore University through its Business School, Mount Kenya University, and Karatina University. Programmes are delivered in evening, modular, or part-time formats to accommodate working executives.

Students develop competencies in strategic thinking, executive leadership, financial analysis, change management, global business, and innovation. The programme emphasises peer learning, networking, and practical application through case studies and projects. Most programmes run for 1.5 to 2 years.

Public universities charge KES 246,000–400,000/year. Private universities charge KES 350,000–1,250,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours and significant work experience, typically 3–5 years in management or professional roles.

Graduates pursue careers as C-suite executives, senior managers, directors, consultants, and entrepreneurs across all sectors of the economy.

Skills Required

Strategic Leadership and Vision
Executive Decision-Making
Corporate Governance and Compliance
Financial Management and Analysis
Organisational Transformation and Change Management
Global Business and International Strategy
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Negotiation and Stakeholder Management
Strategic Human Resource Management
Business Research and Analytics

Key Subjects

Strategic Leadership and Executive Management
Corporate Governance and Ethics
Financial Management and Strategy
Organisational Transformation and Change Management
Global Business and International Strategy
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Executive Negotiation and Stakeholder Management
Strategic Human Resource Management
Business Analytics and Decision-Making
Business Research Methods

Certifications

AMBA Executive MBA Accreditation
KIM Executive Management Certification

Specializations

Strategic Leadership

Focuses on strategic leadership, executive leadership, vision, strategy, and leading and transforming organisations at the executive level.

Corporate Governance

Examines corporate governance, board leadership, compliance, ethics, and understanding and applying corporate governance principles and practices.

Global Business

Covers global business, international strategy, cross-cultural management, global markets, and managing and leading in global business environments.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, venture creation, corporate innovation, and driving innovation and entrepreneurship in organisations.

Financial Strategy

Examines financial strategy, corporate finance, investment strategy, financial analysis, and managing and developing financial strategy at executive level.

Change Management

Covers change management, organisational transformation, change leadership, and managing and leading organisational change and transformation.

Duration: 1.5 to 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 232,300
Private, up to: Ksh 1,250,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Part-time, Evening, Modular
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Strategic Leadership and Executive Management
Corporate Governance and Ethics
Financial Management and Strategy
Organisational Transformation and Change Management
Global Business and International Strategy
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Executive Negotiation and Stakeholder Management
Strategic Human Resource Management
Business Analytics and Decision-Making
Business Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Strategic Leadership and Executive Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines strategic leadership, executive leadership, vision, strategy, and leading and transforming organisations at the executive level.
Corporate Governance and Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers corporate governance, board leadership, compliance, ethics, fiduciary duty, and understanding and applying corporate governance principles.
Financial Management and Strategy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines financial analysis, corporate finance, investment strategy, capital structure, and managing and developing financial strategy at executive level.
Organisational Transformation and Change Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers change management, organisational transformation, change leadership, resistance, and managing and leading organisational change.
Global Business and International Strategy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines global business, international strategy, cross-cultural management, global markets, and managing and leading in global business environments.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers innovation, entrepreneurship, venture creation, corporate innovation, and driving innovation and entrepreneurship in organisations.
Executive Negotiation and Stakeholder Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines executive negotiation, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and negotiating and managing stakeholders at executive level.
Strategic Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers strategic human resource management, talent management, leadership development, and managing and developing human resources strategically.
Business Analytics and Decision-Making
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines business analytics, data-driven decision-making, statistical analysis, and using data and analytics for executive decisions.
Business Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting business research, preparing students for their capstone project.
Capstone Project Proposal
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of capstone project proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation.
Capstone Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original capstone project or thesis on a strategic business challenge, demonstrating mastery of executive concepts and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Strategic Leadership
Focuses on strategic leadership, executive leadership, vision, strategy, and leading and transforming organisations at the executive level.
Corporate Governance
Examines corporate governance, board leadership, compliance, ethics, and understanding and applying corporate governance principles and practices.
Global Business
Covers global business, international strategy, cross-cultural management, global markets, and managing and leading in global business environments.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, venture creation, corporate innovation, and driving innovation and entrepreneurship in organisations.
Financial Strategy
Examines financial strategy, corporate finance, investment strategy, financial analysis, and managing and developing financial strategy at executive level.
Change Management
Covers change management, organisational transformation, change leadership, and managing and leading organisational change and transformation.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Executive MBA programme combines evening or modular lectures, case studies, group discussions, simulations, and peer learning. Sessions are designed for experienced professionals and focus on strategic-level thinking. Strategic leadership sessions examine executive leadership, vision, strategy, and leading and transforming organisations. Corporate governance sessions cover board leadership, compliance, ethics, fiduciary duty, and understanding and applying corporate governance. Financial strategy sessions examine financial analysis, corporate finance, investment strategy, capital structure, and managing and developing financial strategy. Change management sessions cover organisational transformation, change leadership, resistance, and managing and leading organisational change. Global business sessions examine international strategy, cross-cultural management, global markets, and managing and leading in global environments. Innovation sessions cover innovation, entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, and driving innovation in organisations. Negotiation sessions examine executive negotiation, stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and negotiating and managing stakeholders. HR sessions cover strategic human resource management, talent, leadership development, and managing and developing human resources strategically. Analytics sessions examine business analytics, data-driven decision-making, and using data for executive decisions. The programme emphasises peer learning, with experienced professionals sharing insights and perspectives. Case studies are central to the pedagogy, with students analysing real business challenges. Guest lectures from CEOs, board members, and industry leaders provide executive-level insights. The programme includes international study tours, networking events, and executive coaching. The programme culminates in a capstone project or thesis on a strategic business challenge.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme designed for experienced professionals, providing peer learning from diverse industries and sectors.
Delivered in evening, modular, or part-time formats, allowing executives to study without interrupting their careers.
Programme focuses on strategic-level thinking, executive leadership, and real-world application, providing immediate workplace relevance.
Strong networking opportunities with peers, faculty, guest speakers, and alumni across multiple sectors.

Against it

Tuition varies widely from KES 246,000/year at public universities to KES 1,250,000+/year at private institutions.
Programme requires significant work experience (typically 3–5+ years), limiting entry for recent graduates.
Balancing work, family, and study is demanding, especially for senior executives with heavy responsibilities.
Some employers may not differentiate between EMBA and regular MBA, potentially limiting perceived value.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public232k to 232k

232k at Kenyatta University232k at Kenyatta University

Private1000k to 1.3M

1000k at Strathmore University1.3M at United States International University Africa

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

KU 400K+32.3K stat/2yr (eafinder). USIU EMBA 2.5M/2yr (lsib). Strathmore modular 1.99M/2yr (SBS).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Many employers sponsor executives for EMBA programmes as part of talent development. KIM supports professional development for management professionals. AMBA supports MBA programmes globally. The programme's executive focus attracts corporate sponsorship and professional body funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Employer Sponsorship
AMBA MBA Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate executive business administration studies at recognised universities.
Employer Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 1,000,000Kenyan
Many employers sponsor executives for EMBA programmes as part of talent development and retention strategies.
AMBA MBA Funding
ScholarshipKsh 200,000
Association of MBAs supports MBA programmes globally, providing scholarships for MBA study at accredited programmes.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Entry requirements vary by university. KU requires Upper Second Class Honours or Lower Second with two years of experience. USIU-Africa requires GPA of 3.00 or Lower Second with GPA of 2.50 and two years of experience, plus significant work experience for the Global Executive MBA. Strathmore requires a Bachelor's degree and management experience. MKU offers the programme in 3 modules over 18 months. Programmes are delivered in evening, modular, or part-time formats. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements and procedures.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case study analysis, executive briefs, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering strategic leadership, corporate governance, financial strategy, and change management.
Case Study Analysis and Simulations
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through case study analysis, business simulations, executive role-plays, and presenting strategic solutions and recommendations.
Capstone Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original capstone project or thesis on a strategic business challenge, demonstrating mastery of executive concepts and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Multiple universities offer the Executive MBA including KU, USIU-Africa, Strathmore University, MKU, and Karatina University. Strathmore Business School also holds AMBA accreditation. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate executive business administration training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Multiple universities offer the Executive MBA including KU, USIU-Africa, Strathmore University, MKU, and Karatina University. Strathmore Business School also holds AMBA accreditation. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate executive business administration training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Chief Executive Officer
Moderate demandKsh 500,000 to Ksh 3,000,000
Leads organisations, overseeing strategy, operations, growth, stakeholder management, and ensuring organisational success and sustainability.
Senior Manager
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 1,200,000
Manages senior operations, overseeing strategy, operations, teams, and ensuring efficient and effective organisational performance.
Management Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 1,000,000
Consults on business and management, overseeing advisory, analysis, strategy, and providing management expertise and solutions to clients.
Board Director
Low demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Serves on boards, overseeing governance, strategy, compliance, risk, and providing board leadership and oversight.
Business Owner
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 2,000,000
Owns and runs businesses, overseeing strategy, operations, growth, and building and growing business ventures.
Country Director
Moderate demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 2,000,000
Leads country operations, overseeing strategy, operations, growth, stakeholder management, and ensuring country-level organisational success.

Graduate outcomes