Strathmore, Standard Chartered Launch Programme to Help African Family Businesses Survive Generational Change

Strathmore Business School, Standard Chartered, ALN and the Association of Family Business Enterprises (AFBE) have launched a new executive programme aimed at strengthening governance, succession and wealth management.

The programme was launched in Nairobi on August 10, 2026, and is intended to bring together family business owners, leaders, family office representatives, board members and experts to address challenges.

This initiative comes in the middle of concerns over the readiness of succession among African family businesses with ageing founders, wealth transfer and governance gaps which test succession readiness.

According to PwC’s Africa Family Business Survey 2025, 66% of African family businesses reported sales growth; however, the report found that governance remains a pressure point.

Family Business Survey

The report says only 77% have formal structures, while only 21% have dispute resolution procedures.

Family Business Institute research shows only 30% to 40% of family businesses transition to the second generation, while 12% to 13% reach the third generation and only 3% reach the fourth generation.

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Strathmore University Vice Chancellor Dr. Vincent Ogutu said family businesses play an important role in Africa’s economic development, adding that their long-term success requires effective governance.

“Family businesses have played a pivotal role in driving economic growth across Africa. Their continued success depends not only on entrepreneurial vision, but also on strong governance, responsible leadership and effective succession planning,” Ogutu said.

The Programme

The programme will combine the expertise of four institutions, with Strathmore Business School providing academic and executive education while Standard Chartered will contribute expertise in wealth management and financial stewardship.

ALN will then provide legal perspectives on governance, succession and estate planning, as AFBE contributes political insights from its work with family-owned enterprises.

Standard Chartered head of Wealth and Retail Banking Kenya and East Africa Edith Chumba said the partnership will support families as they prepare for generational transitions.

“As more founders prepare for generational transition, strong governance, succession planning and wealth continuity are becoming business-critical,” Chumba said.

Programme Dates

Additionally, the programme is scheduled to run from September to November 2026 and will have a total of three modules.

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These modules will cover governance, succession, wealth preservation, legal and tax considerations, conflict resolution and also business continuity.

Participants will leave with practical governance, succession and wealth management roadmaps which strengthen business resilience and a peer network of family business leaders across Africa.

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Standard Chartered building PHOTO/Breadcom