Groupe ISM

Groupe ISM, founded in 1992 by Amadou Diaw, stands as Senegal’s first private business school and has grown into a premier higher education provider in West Africa. The group educates nearly 10,000 students across 12 campuses in regions such as Dakar, Saint-Louis, Thiès, and Ziguinchor. Its mission centers on developing ethical, Africa-focused leaders through multidisciplinary programs blending global academic rigor with regional relevance. Educational offerings are anchored in fields like business, law, engineering, and leadership, facilitated through specialized schools such as ISM Dakar, the Madiba Leadership Institute, and a tech-focused engineering division.

Since joining the Galileo Global Education network in 2017, which holds a 65% stake in ISM, the institution has benefited from expanded resources and international credibility while preserving its Africa-centric approach. This strategic partnership enhances program quality and global exposure for students without compromising ISM’s regional mission. The institution holds CAMES accreditation and has earned 4 Palmes of Excellence from Eduniversal, underscoring its academic strength and reputation within Senegal and across the African continent. The alumni network, now numbering 20,000 graduates, reflects ISM’s long-standing impact in both local and global professional spheres.

Groupe ISM’s vision emphasizes innovation, bilingual education (French-English), and leadership development. Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees—including Bachelors and MBAs—integrate soft skills, internships, and community engagement initiatives. The group’s regional expansion helps democratize elite higher learning, eliminating the need for relocation to cities like Dakar and empowering students in Kaolack, Kolda, and other areas. With over 30 years of academic presence and influence, ISM champions a model of education that balances scholarly excellence with practical relevance, producing change-makers attuned to the economic and societal needs of Africa.

Groupe ISM has cultivated a formidable alumni presence with over 20,000 graduates thriving in sectors such as management, finance, law, IT, and entrepreneurship across Africa and globally. This growing alumni community is supported through active networking events, professional development associations, and collaborations that maintain lifelong engagement. Annual gatherings and professional partnerships foster meaningful connections, while students benefit from immediate industry alignment via 29 corporate partnerships. These partnerships create a robust bridge between academics and careers through internships, live projects, and recruitment pipelines.

A standout feature of ISM's employability strategy is **the Softskill Academy**, launched in 2013 to sharpen students' social impact, creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability—qualities increasingly valued in today’s competitive job market. From year one, students engage in real-world experiences via internships integrated across all 12 campuses, ensuring professional immersion regardless of location. Access to the world-renowned resources of Galileo Global Education further amplifies global exposure, creating opportunities for international placements and collaborative projects. ISM ensures its graduates are not only employable but also equipped for leadership and innovation.

ISM’s ecosystem supports aspiring entrepreneurs through two fully operational start-up incubators established in 2019. These incubators provide end-to-end mentorship, helping students take concepts from ideation to business launch. They represent a proactive strategy to bolster local economies via job creation and digital transformation. The institution also hosts 17 career-focused events annually, including job fairs and professional workshops that link students with decision-makers from SMEs to multinationals. This sustained engagement with industry makes Groupe ISM a powerful conduit of talent and innovation for the African private and public sectors.

Groupe ISM offers unmatched value in higher education, combining academic excellence with affordability to empower ambitious students across Senegal and beyond. With annual tuition averaging approximately $1,422, ISM delivers premium, multidisciplinary programs accessible to a wide socio-economic range without compromising quality. From undergraduate to MBA levels, course offerings span high-demand sectors like business, digital engineering, law, and leadership. Instruction in both French and English promotes cross-border mobility, and ISM's affiliations, including CAMES accreditation and integration with Galileo Global Education, enhance the global credential value.

The academic model at ISM prioritizes hands-on learning. Students benefit from industry-integrated internships starting in their first year, advanced language training, and entrepreneurship support through on-campus incubators. The Softskill Academy further elevates readiness for leadership, encouraging innovation, ethical reasoning, and practical decision-making. These offerings make ISM graduates highly sought after in diverse industries. Flexible learning paths make it easier to pivot across disciplines, especially in the ever-evolving markets of IT, sustainability, and finance. ISM combines technical skills with personal growth, enabling students to become not just job-seekers, but initiators of change and opportunity.

Logistically, ISM’s 12-campus footprint eliminates the need for costly relocations, while its selective class sizes and professional faculty ensure personalized learning. Unlike public institutions constrained by larger class sizes and static programming, ISM’s private agility enables curriculum updates, responsive pedagogy, and market-aligned teaching. Beyond academics, the institution fosters a safe, dynamic and joyful environment. Free extracurriculars, peer networking, and student-led initiatives reflect a balanced lifestyle. Groupe ISM is ultimately a launchpad for future leaders committed to transforming Africa, offering the networks, credentials, and holistic education today’s learners need to succeed regionally and globally.

At the forefront of educational innovation, Groupe ISM drives transformational impact across Senegal and West Africa through a forward-thinking approach to curriculum, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. Central to this strategy are two entrepreneurial incubators launched in 2019, which support student ventures from idea development to market implementation. These incubators foster local job creation and nurture tech-enabled businesses designed to respond to African-specific challenges. In parallel, ISM leads research initiatives focused on digital strategy, economic diversification, and regional development, often collaborating directly with industries to ensure educational programs remain relevant and application-based.

Engineering programs within ISM focus deeply on areas like network infrastructure, IT, and data science, equipping the next generation of professionals to lead Africa’s digital transformation. The Softskill Academy enhances these technical proficiencies by championing community service and leadership in sectors such as sustainability, health, and civic development. The Madiba Leadership Institute stands out as a hub for cultivating ethical political and public sector leaders equipped with rigorous political insight and strategic acumen. With CAMES accreditation and affiliation with Galileo Global Education, ISM’s research and educational output have garnered global credibility and amplification.

Student impact is further magnified through hackathons, conferences, and 17 annual themed events that tackle economically critical topics like employment, innovation, and climate adaptation. Through these challenges, students develop applied solutions with direct relevance to their communities. Alumni ventures often return to the university ecosystem as mentors or partners, creating a sustainable feedback loop that drives economic resilience. Unlike many institutions that follow imported educational models, ISM emphasizes context-specific solutions tailored for African realities. This commitment to applied innovation and responsive education cements ISM’s role as a catalyst in West Africa’s knowledge economy.

Q1: What makes Groupe ISM’s academic approach distinct within Senegal?
ISM prioritizes a multidisciplinary and bilingual (French-English) curriculum across business, law, digital engineering, and leadership. Unique programs like the Softskill Academy and two entrepreneurship incubators provide practical, hands-on learning rarely found in similar regional institutions.

Q2: How accessible is ISM to students from outside Dakar or from other countries?
With 12 campuses across Senegal and support structures for visa processing, tuition guidance, and accommodation coordination, ISM ensures accessibility. Its international student body spans over 30 countries, and services like language support and exchange programs ease cultural transitions.

Q3: What career support does ISM offer during and after studies?
ISM partners with 29 major companies and hosts 17 annual career events that provide pathways into internships, placements, and networking opportunities. A strong alumni network of 20,000 professionals supports mentoring and career advancement across multiple sectors.

Q4: Are there opportunities for students to start their own businesses?
Yes. ISM supports entrepreneurship through two incubators that offer mentoring, facilities, and business development services. This setup helps students transform ideas into market-ready innovations aligned with local and continental needs.

Q5: How does ISM maintain a balance between academics and personal growth?
The university offers free extracurriculars like debate clubs, cultural festivals, leadership workshops, and volunteering activities. Modern campus amenities and small class sizes promote well-being and provide a supportive environment for personal and academic success.

Admissions to Groupe ISM are designed to be straightforward and inclusive, ensuring diverse student onboarding across its 12 campuses. Prospective students can apply online or through ISM's physical campuses by submitting relevant academic documents, identification, and proof of linguistic proficiency—such as TOEFL or IELTS, if applicable. No standardized entrance exams are required; instead, a thorough review of transcripts followed by an interview forms the core of the selection process. ISM accepts rolling applications throughout the year, but primary intakes occur in September and January, with early applications recommended for scholarship eligibility and seat availability.

Tuition is competitively priced, averaging around $1,422/year for undergraduate programs in fields like accounting, digital engineering, and business management. Scholarships and tuition assistance options are available to encourage equitable access. Entry prerequisites include the Baccalauréat for undergraduate studies and relevant prior degrees for graduate-level admissions including MBAs. Instruction is offered in both French and English, enhancing accessibility for a broader international student base. Students benefit from visa assistance, orientation programs with language support, and transition guidance that ease their academic integration into ISM’s ecosystem.

Regarding accommodation, limited on-campus housing is available, especially in urban centers like Dakar (22 Rue 1, 10700). However, the school maintains partnerships with local providers to offer affordable, secure, off-campus lodging close to all 12 campuses, which span across cities like Kaolack, Fatick, Kolda, Mbour, and others. For assistance or inquiries, ISM’s student services are accessible via +221 33 869 76 76. Orientation weeks are held before term starts, offering campus tours, social integration events, and information sessions. These initiatives highlight ISM’s commitment to practical clarity, comfort, and academic excellence.