CESAG
CESAG is a private business school in Dakar, Senegal, operating under BCEAO supervision since 1979, delivering bilingual (French/English) Bachelor, Master, MBA, and chartered accounting (DESCOGEF/DECOFI) programs to over 1,500 learners per year from UEMOA member states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersDakar, Dakar, Senegal
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CESAG does
CESAG is a private higher-education institution headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, founded in 1979 under CEAO and operating since 1985 under the institutional supervision of BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest), with the BCEAO Governor serving as Chair of its Board of Directors. The institution functions as the operational arm of UEMOA for management human-capital training and delivers a bilingual (French/English) portfolio spanning Bachelor/Licence programs, specialized Master's degrees, the Master in Banque et Finance (MBF) labeled 'Programme d'excellence' by UEMOA, the UEMOA-track DESCOGEF/DECOFI chartered accounting program, and 14 MBA specializations. It serves over 1,500 learners per year drawn from across the UEMOA member states through entrance examinations administered at BCEAO national directorates and approved international centers, and reports a 15,000+ alumni network spanning nearly 40 countries.
The institution operates a digital ecosystem comprising a Learning Management System, an FOAD/e-learning platform for distance and hybrid modules, Microsoft Teams for virtual classes, an online registration and examination platform, an AI-based plagiarism detection tool (E-Plagiat), and a library service with over 15,209 bibliographic references. It also runs an Incubator & Technopole for entrepreneurship, a language center adding Portuguese from July 2026, and a student life center. Programs are delivered in both on-campus and remote modalities.
Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual tuition fees (ranging from 1,225,000 FCFA to 3,525,000 FCFA per year by program level), non-refundable application processing fees of 25,000 FCFA (or €39), and corporate/executive training revenue through its UCSAE consulting and seminar unit. The go-to-market combines a competitive entrance examination model for student recruitment with annual recruitment campaigns, a presence at international conferences such as AACSB ELEVATE, and direct B2C outreach to baccalaureate holders, bac+3 graduates, and experienced professionals across the UEMOA region.
CESAG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CESAG
- Legal name
- Centre Africain d'Etudes Supérieures en Gestion
- Website
- https://cesag.sn
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- CESAG is a private business school in Dakar, Senegal, operating under BCEAO supervision since 1979, delivering bilingual (French/English) Bachelor, Master, MBA, and chartered accounting (DESCOGEF/DECOFI) programs to over 1,500 learners per year from UEMOA member states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CESAG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education / Business School
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Business and Secretarial Schools (61141), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Accounting & Finance Certification Prep (CPA, CMA, CFA, FRM) (EDANAIAD), Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)
Keywords
Where CESAG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dakar, Dakar
- HQ country
- Senegal
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
CESAG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees for Bachelor, Master, MBA, and executive programs. Fees vary by program level and specialization, ranging from 1,225,000 FCFA to 3,525,000 FCFA per year.
- Application Processing Fees: Non-refundable application processing fee of 25,000 FCFA (or 39 euros) charged to all candidates for entrance examination and program admission.
- Executive Education and Continuing Training: Seminars, certificates, and customized training programs offered through UCSAE (Unité de Consultance, de séminaires et d'accompagnement des Entreprises)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Bachelor/Licence programs (after Bac) |
| Subscription | Annual | Bachelor/Licence special programs (after Bac+2) |
| Subscription | Annual | Master programs |
| Subscription | Annual | DESCOGEF programs |
| Subscription | Annual | Master in Banque et Finance (MBF) |
| Subscription | Annual | MBA programs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
CESAG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CESAG is a regional business school delivering higher-education and executive-training programs from Bachelor's through MBA level in management, banking, finance, accounting, audit, marketing, human resources, project management, public administration, and health management. Programs are taught bilingually (French/English) on its Dakar campus and via a Digital Campus for distance learners, with tuition-based enrollment and entrance examinations administered across UEMOA member states.
Product overview
CESAG (Centre Africain d'Etudes Supérieures en Gestion) is a business school offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and student services. The program structure includes undergraduate Bachelor/Licence programs (LG, L-MIAGE, LGSS, LG PME-PMI, LCCA, LMSD, LMPD, DECOGEF, LTCF Spéciale, LGEO Spéciale), Master programs (MSMD, MDBFA, MMS, MGRH, ME3P, MSG, MCGF, MACG, MDGL, MCCA, MGP, DESCOGEF 1), professional Master in Banking and Finance (MBF), and MBA programs (MBA AG, MBA ACG, MBA FI, MBA GP, MBA IGF, MBA MCID, MBA MSS, MBA MSCH, MBA MS, MBA MMPiA, MBA MPP, MBA MEE, MBA ES, DESCOGEF 2). The institution also provides digital platforms (online registration, online examination, LMS, FOAD), library services with over 15,209 references, an Incubator & Technopole for entrepreneurship, language center, and e-Plagiat for academic integrity. Programs are delivered in French and English, combining theoretical knowledge with practical professional skills for African and international business environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Highest pass rates for DESCOGEF and DECOFI examinations in the UEMOA region
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CESAG
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
CESAG technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
CESAG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest)coreBCEAO serves as the institutional supervisor of CESAG. The Governor of BCEAO serves as President of the Board of Directors. CESAG serves as the operational arm of UEMOA for human capital training. BCEAO provides examination center infrastructure across member states.
- UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union)coreCESAG operates as the regional institution for management education under UEMOA. The Cursus Expertise Comptable was created under UEMOA oversight with regulation N°12/2000/CM/UEMOA. MBF program carries UEMOA 'Programme d'excellence' label.
- Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC)minorCollaboration partner in the Master in Banque et Finance (MBF) program development alongside BCEAO, bringing central bank expertise to banking and finance education.
- Banque de FranceminorTechnical partner in the MBF program contributing French banking and finance expertise to the curriculum.
- AFD - Centre d'Études Financières Économiques et BancairesminorDevelopment finance partner supporting the MBF program through the French Development Agency's financial studies center.
- European UnionminorEuropean Union support for the MBF program contributing to international development cooperation in higher education.
- World BankminorInternational development partner contributing to the MBF program's development for capacity building in African financial sectors.
- French Ministry of Foreign AffairsminorGovernmental partner providing support for the MBF program through France's international cooperation framework.
- Fondation pour le Renforcement des Capacités en Afrique (ARGA)minorAfrican capacity building foundation supporting the MBF program for human capital development in the region.
- University of Khein, GermanyminorAcademic partner in the Master in Décentralisation et Gouvernance Locale (MDGL) program, developed in partnership with German university and German state through DAAD Cooperation.
- German State (DAAD Cooperation)minorGerman government cooperation through DAAD supporting the MDGL program in decentralization and local governance.
- CAMES (African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education)coreRegional accreditation body recognizing CESAG's academic programs across the African and Malagasy higher education space.
- EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development)minorInternational management education network membership supporting quality standards and accreditation alignment.
- AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)coreCESAG is pursuing AACSB accreditation as part of its strategic plan aligned with international quality standards for business education.
- Senegal GovernmentminorHost country providing institutional support. Senegal has hosted CESAG for forty years with constant support and institutional goodwill.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
CESAG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- African Leadership University (ALU): ALU is a pan-African institution with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda, offering undergraduate and MBA-equivalent programmes targeted at African leaders. Directly comparable as a mission-driven African business school chasing cross-border talent and pursuing international accreditation.
- Henley Business School Africa: Henley Africa offers AMBA-accredited MBA and executive programmes across African markets with a global Henley parent affiliation. Comparable as a triple-accredited or accreditation-pursuing business school delivering blended and online African executive programmes.
- Stellenbosch Business School (USB): USB is a South African AMBA- and EQUIS-accredited business school with English-medium MBA, executive, and development programmes. Comparable as a leading African business school pursuing international accreditation and serving corporate clients across Africa.
- Strathmore Business School: Strathmore Business School in Kenya is AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited and one of the top-ranked African business schools, with a Senior Executive Programme serving East African corporates and central banks. Comparable as a leading African business school with international accreditation and strong executive education franchise.
- University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB): UCT GSB is consistently ranked as Africa's top business school, offering MBA, executive, and customised corporate programmes with AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accreditations. Comparable as the gold-standard African business school that CESAG aspires to compete with regionally and in accreditation cycles.
- Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University): Lagos Business School is one of Africa's leading AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited graduate business schools, offering MBA, executive, and management development programmes for West African professionals. Directly comparable as a regional competitor for executive and management talent across Anglophone/Francophone West Africa.
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA): GIMPA is a publicly chartered Ghanaian institution offering undergraduate through executive business and public administration programmes, with strong ties to ECOWAS governments and central banks. Highly comparable as a UEMOA/ECOWAS-region management training institution serving central bank and public-sector clients.
Regional players
- Institut Supérieur de Management (ISM) Dakar: ISM Dakar is a Senegalese private business school offering Bac+5 management programmes with strong local industry ties. Comparable as a Senegal-based competitor targeting the same Francophone high-school-graduate and professional segments, but with a much smaller regional reach.
Broad incumbents
- INSEAD: INSEAD is a global triple-accredited business school with a long-standing connection to Francophone Africa and multiple campuses (France, Singapore, Abu Dhabi). Relevant as a broad incumbent that has historically captured the most senior UEMOA business leaders, against whom CESAG competes for executive education share.
- IAE Paris - Sorbonne Business School: IAE Paris is France's network-university business school offering bilingual MBAs and executive programmes with significant African student intake. Comparable as a broad French-sphere incumbent using a university-network model to deliver management education to Francophone professionals, mirroring CESAG's institutional French-university heritage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CESAG social profiles
Digital presenceCESAG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CESAG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CESAG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CESAG M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CESAG
What does CESAG do?
CESAG is a regional business school delivering higher-education and executive-training programs from Bachelor's through MBA level in management, banking, finance, accounting, audit, marketing, human resources, project management, public administration, and health management. Programs are taught bilingually (French/English) on its Dakar campus and via a Digital Campus for distance learners, with tuition-based enrollment and entrance examinations administered across UEMOA member states.
Is CESAG a public or private company?
CESAG is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was CESAG founded?
CESAG was founded in 1979. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is CESAG based?
CESAG is headquartered in Dakar, Dakar, Senegal, in the Africa region.
How does CESAG make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are application Processing Fees and executive Education and Continuing Training.
Who are CESAG's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are African Leadership University (ALU), Henley Business School Africa, Stellenbosch Business School (USB), Strathmore Business School, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University) and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Institut Supérieur de Management (ISM) Dakar is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are INSEAD and IAE Paris - Sorbonne Business School.
Does CESAG have an API?
No public API is recorded for CESAG.
What industry is CESAG in?
CESAG's product category is Higher Education / Business School. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAANAD, Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications, with a secondary code of EDANAIAD, Accounting & Finance Certification Prep (CPA, CMA, CFA, FRM). Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.