INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY

What INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY does

The Institute of Leadership and Strategy (ILS) is a privately held executive development institute headquartered in East Legon, Accra, Ghana. Founded on June 28, 2023 by Dr. Jeff Bassay, ILS designs and delivers fee-based leadership and strategy programmes for mid-to-senior managers, corporate executives, and African business professionals seeking C-suite preparation. Its core product portfolio centres on three flagship programmes: the Certified Strategy Professional (CSP), an 8-week certification; the Executive Leadership Programme, a 5-day intensive; and the Team Leadership and People Management Masterclass. These are complemented by recurring offerings — quarterly executive training in leadership and strategy, bi-monthly masterclasses, monthly webinars (some free), bi-annual ILS forums, and bespoke consultancy services — and by a secondary facility rental line that monetises an on-site Executive Boardroom (up to 20 guests) and Training & Workshop Room (up to 60 guests).

The institute operates a sales-led go-to-market: prospective participants apply via the website, select a programme and education level, and are contacted within 24 hours, while corporate training partnerships deliver customised solutions to enterprise clients. Curriculum is delivered in a hybrid format combining in-person sessions at the Accra training centre with virtual components. Delivery is anchored by a faculty of senior Ghanaian business leaders, including the Board Chairman of UBA Ghana (a former CEO of Tullow Ghana and Anglogold executive) and the Executive Director and Chief Strategy & Operations Officer of Absa Bank Ghana, lending practitioner credibility. ILS reports no external funding, operates with approximately 6 employees, and has reached at least 10 cohorts of its flagship CSP programme since launch. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based, reflecting the customisation available across individual enrolment, corporate partnerships, and facility rentals.

Name

INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY

Legal name

Institute of Leadership And Strategy

Website

https://ilsexecutive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Institute of Leadership and Strategy is an Accra-based, privately held executive education institute founded in 2023 that delivers fee-based leadership and strategy programmes — including the Certified Strategy Professional certification — to mid-to-senior managers and corporate clients across Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Executive Education and Professional Development

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Resources, Organizational Behavior & Leadership Institutes (EDAHAHAG), Talent Management & Leadership Advisory (Succession, Performance, Culture) (BPACAJAH)

Keywords

• Executive leadership training
• Strategy professional certification
• Corporate leadership development
• Professional development programmes
• Management masterclass training

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Executive Development Programmes: ILS generates revenue through fee-based executive training programmes including the Certified Strategy Professional (CSP), Executive Leadership Programme, and Team Leadership and People Management Masterclass. These are offered as in-person sessions with virtual options, typically spanning 5 days to 8 weeks.
2. Facility Rental: ILS rents out its training facilities including an Executive Boardroom (up to 20 guests) and a Training & Workshop Room (up to 60 guests). These spaces are marketed for board meetings, strategy sessions, workshops, and professional development programmes.
3. Webinars and Masterclasses: ILS conducts monthly webinars and bi-monthly masterclasses, some offered free of charge as indicated by alumni testimonials, which serve as lead generation for paid certification programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Institute of Leadership and Strategy (ILS) is a Ghana-based executive education institute that delivers fee-based leadership and strategy training programmes for mid-to-senior managers and corporate executives across Africa. Its core offerings include the Certified Strategy Professional (CSP) certification, the Executive Leadership Programme, and the Team Leadership and People Management Masterclass, complemented by consultancy services and facility rentals. Programmes are delivered in hybrid format combining in-person sessions at the Accra training centre with virtual components.

Product overview

The Institute of Leadership and Strategy (ILS) offers a comprehensive suite of executive development and professional certification programmes designed to transform managers into visionary leaders across Africa. The core product portfolio includes three flagship programmes: the Certified Strategy Professional (CSP) - an 8-week intensive programme, the Executive Leadership Programme - a 5-day intensive programme, and the Team Leadership and People Management Masterclass. These are complemented by recurring offerings including quarterly executive training in leadership and strategy, bi-monthly masterclasses, monthly webinars, and bi-annual ILS forums. ILS also provides consultancy services for organizational guidance and strategic planning, as well as premium facility rentals for corporate events and meetings. All programmes maintain a global perspective while focusing on African business realities and opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Strategy Professional (CSP) An 8-week in-person programme (with virtual option) designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of managers and senior managers in leadership, preparing them for C-suite executive roles. Covers eight modules: environment of strategy, strategic planning process, strategy formulation, competitive and growth strategy, organisational change and transformation, strategy governance, strategy execution and control, and strategic plan presentations. The CSP has reached Cohort 10.
• Executive Leadership Programme A 5-day in-person programme (with virtual option) designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of managers and senior managers in leadership, preparing them for C-suite executive roles. Modules include building a personal leadership brand for influence, strategic leadership for transformation, leading change and innovation, corporate governance and directorship, and business shrewdness for C-suite executive roles.
• Team Leadership and People Management Masterclass A programme designed to enhance the leadership capabilities of managers and senior managers through focused thematic training covering fundamentals of organisational leadership, leading self and others, effective team leadership skills, effective people management skills, conflict management and resolution, emotional intelligence, effective communication amongst teams, effective supervision attributes, performance coaching, and lessons from winning teams.
• Consultancy Services Organisational guidance, strategic planning, and facilitation of team-building sessions to enhance organisational effectiveness and drive sustainable growth. Offered to corporate clients seeking customised support.
• Facility Rental - Executive Boardroom Premium boardroom space for up to 20 guests, equipped with smart interactive board, video conferencing, and premium furniture. Suitable for board meetings, strategy sessions, interviews, and high-level discussions. Rented to external organisations.
• Facility Rental - Training & Workshop Room Versatile space for up to 60 guests, includes smart interactive boards, projectors, and flexible seating. Suitable for training sessions, workshops, team building, and professional development programmes. Rented to external organisations.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Corporate Training PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS collaborates with corporate organisations for customised executive training programmes. These partnerships involve tailoring leadership and strategy programmes to specific organisational needs and objectives, ensuring maximum relevance and impact for participating employees.
• International CollaboratorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerILS is expanding its impact through international collaborations as part of its growth strategy, aiming to bring global perspectives while maintaining African focus in its programmes.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IMD Business School: Switzerland-based executive education provider specialising in leadership, strategy, and innovation programmes for senior executives. Comparable to ILS in targeting senior leaders for strategy and transformation programmes, with global brand recognition and significantly larger scale.
• London Business School Executive Education: Global executive education provider offering open-enrolment and customised leadership and strategy programmes. Comparable to ILS in the executive development segment, particularly with growing Africa-focused programming and EMBA offerings.
• INSEAD Executive Education: Global top-tier business school with extensive open-enrolment and customised executive education programmes across multiple campuses. Overlaps with ILS in the executive leadership and strategy development space but operates at global scale with significantly broader recognition.
• Harvard Business School Executive Education: The world's premier executive education provider, offering leadership, strategy, and corporate governance programmes with global brand recognition. Comparable to ILS in targeting senior executives for leadership and strategy development, though at a vastly different scale and credential status.

Direct peers

• Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University): West Africa's leading executive education provider, offering MBA, Executive MBA, and customised corporate leadership programmes. Highly comparable to ILS in targeting African senior managers with locally-relevant executive development, though at significantly larger scale and with accredited credentials.
• Strathmore Business School (Kenya): East African executive education leader offering senior management programmes, leadership academies, and customised corporate training. Comparable to ILS in its African-market focus, practitioner-led delivery, and executive development curriculum.
• Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS): University of Pretoria's business school delivering executive education, MBAs, and customised corporate programmes across Africa. Comparable to ILS in delivering short executive programmes and leadership development to senior African managers and executives.
• University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB): Africa's top-ranked business school with extensive executive education short courses, MBAs, and customised corporate programmes. Directly comparable to ILS's model of Africa-focused executive development for senior managers, with a stronger global accreditation and brand footprint.
• African Leadership University (ALU): Pan-African higher education and leadership institution offering undergraduate, MBA, and executive programmes focused on developing African leaders. Comparable to ILS in its mission to build African leadership capacity, with a broader academic portfolio.

Emerging players

• Africa Leadership Organisation (Africa Leadership): Pan-African leadership development organisation delivering executive programmes, coaching, and organisational development. Comparable to ILS in its Africa-focused leadership development mission and practitioner-led delivery model, though operating across more African geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ilsexecutive

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY