Thelma Business School

What Thelma Business School does

Thelma Business School is a private higher education institution headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, founded in 2015 by Dr. Pape Madické DIOP as a subsidiary of BEM Dakar. The school operates as the first business school in Sub-Saharan Africa specialized in management education for the luxury, hospitality, fashion and design, real estate, events, tourism, and digital sectors, targeting Senegalese and West African students and working professionals seeking internationally recognized credentials. It delivers classroom-based programs from a modern Les Almadies campus and online programs for continuing-education students, organized across four pillars: Initial Formation (3-year Bachelors in Hospitality & Luxury Management, Marketing et Management du Luxe, Management de l'Immobilier, and Administration des Affaires), Continuing Formation (evening and online Licence, MBA, and Master programs), Professional Formation (6-month to 3-year State diploma certifications such as CPS Community Manager, CPS Guide Interprète, CPS Concepteur de Produits Touristiques, and BT Réceptionniste), and Certifying Formation through the Thelma Leadership Academy sub-brand in partnership with EHPM Marrakech.

The school has no proprietary technology stack — it operates on standard classroom and online learning delivery — and its core product is the curriculum itself, including French-Senegalese double-diploma programs delivered with international academic partners (Savignac, EIML Paris, EADA Barcelona, EHPM Marrakech, Ostelea, BEM, MODART, Ferriere, Campus Franco-Sénégalais, Haute École Galilée). Enterprise partners including Pullman Dakar Téranga, Sheraton Grand Dakar, Radisson Blu Abidjan, Terrou-Bi, Onomo Hotels, and Lagardère Travel provide practical training venues and recruitment pipelines.

Thelma generates revenue almost entirely through tuition fees across its multi-tier program portfolio, supplemented by government-funded vocational training via the ONFP partnership. Disclosed pricing on short programs ranges from 360,000 F CFA (CPS certifications) to 600,000 F CFA (BT Réceptionniste) per program; pricing for full Bachelor, Licence, MBA, and Master programs is not publicly disclosed. Distribution combines direct enrollment at the Dakar campus and online channels, top-of-funnel recruitment through education fairs (Salon des Formations Post-Bac) and open days (Journées Portes Ouvertes), plus channel partnerships for international mobility. The school claims a 90% graduate employment rate, has produced 8 graduating cohorts, and marked its 10th anniversary in August 2025 with a renewed branding push.

Name

Thelma Business School

Legal name

Thelma Business School

Website

https://thelma.sn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thelma Business School is a Dakar-based private higher education institution founded in 2015 as the first Sub-Saharan African business school specialized in luxury, hospitality, fashion, and design management, offering Bachelor, Master, and State-diploma certification programs with French-Senegalese double diplomas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Business School)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Business and Secretarial Schools (611410), Professional and Management Development Training (61143), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Professional Schools (MBA/MPA/MPH/Etc.) (EDAHALAE), Real Estate & Construction Management Schools (within Business Schools) (EDAHAHAM), Online For-Profit Career Universities (EDAHALAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Hospitality management
• Luxury management
• Professional certification
• Business school

Headquarters

HQ city

Dakar

HQ country

Senegal

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Initial Training (Bachelors): Revenue from full-time Bachelor degree programs in Hospitality & Luxury Management, Marketing et Management du Luxe, and Management de l'immobilier, delivered during daytime hours over 3 years.
2. Tuition Fees - Continuing Education (Licences & Masters): Revenue from part-time evening and online programs including Licence Administration des Affaires, Licence Marketing Digital et E-Business, Licence Hospitality & Luxury Management, MBA Hôtellerie et Restauration, and Master en Science de Gestion.
3. Professional Certifications (CPS & BT): Revenue from short professional certification programs (6 months) including CPS Community Manager, CPS Guide Interprète, CPS Concepteur de Produits Touristiques, and BT Réceptionniste (3 years), all leading to State diplomas.
4. Certifying Training (Thelma Leadership Academy): Revenue from short certifying programs in Hébergement & Commercial, Service du restaurant, and Commercial & Revenue, delivered in partnership with EHPM Marrakech.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Thelma Business School is a private higher education institution that delivers degree programs (Bachelors, Licences, MBA, Master) and short professional certifications (CPS, BT) in management disciplines with a focus on Luxury, Hospitality, Fashion & Design, Real Estate, Tourism, and Digital sectors. Programs are delivered in-person at the Dakar campus, online/evening for working professionals, and through international mobility at partner schools in France, Spain, and Morocco, with double-diploma credentials.

Product overview

Thelma Business School is an educational institution offering a unified portfolio of degree and certification programs across four main categories: Initial Formation (Bachelors in Hospitality & Luxury Management, Marketing et Management du Luxe, Management de l'Immobilier, and Administration des Affaires), Continuing Formation (Licence and Master programs in Business Administration, Digital Marketing, Hospitality Management MBA, and Master in Management Sciences), Professional Formation (6-month state diploma programs in Community Manager, Tour Guide, Tourism Product Designer, and Receptionist), and Certifying Formation (Thelma Leadership Academy modules in Accommodation & Commercial, Restaurant Service, and Revenue Management, in partnership with EHPM Marrakech). The school operates from Dakar, Senegal, and partners with international institutions including Savignac, EIML Paris, EADA Barcelona, and BEM to offer double-degree programs. All programs target professionals and students in luxury, hospitality, tourism, real estate, events, and digital sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thelma Leadership Academy: Professional certification programs in hospitality, accommodation, commercial and revenue management, conducted in partnership with École Hôtelière Privée de Marrakech (EHPM).

Products and services

• Bachelor in Hospitality & Luxury Management A 3-year full-time Bachelor program in Hospitality Management offered alone or in co-diplomation with École de Management des Métiers de l'Hospitalité de Savignac, France. The program prepares students for careers in hotels, restaurants, events, and tourism, with international mobility options. It targets recent Baccalaureate holders seeking specialized luxury and hospitality management education.
• Bachelor in Marketing et Management du Luxe A 3-year full-time Bachelor program in partnership with École Internationale de Marketing du Luxe (EIML) France, covering luxury sectors including fashion, jewelry, watches, luxury hospitality, and gastronomy. Students benefit from international curriculum standards in luxury management and receive a double diploma. Targets Baccalaureate holders interested in luxury brand management careers.
• Bachelor in Management de l'Immobilier A Bachelor program training students in real estate project management, from promotion to property and rental management, covering investment, asset management, and property transactions. Targets students seeking careers in real estate management.
• Licence in Administration des Affaires A post-Bac Bachelor/Licence in Business Administration providing a global vision of modern enterprise operations through courses in economics, marketing, management, and finance. Designed for working professionals seeking flexible evening and online instruction.
• Licence in Marketing Digital et E-Business A degree program in digital marketing and e-business teaching students to use digital levers for brand development, social media marketing, e-commerce, and web content creation. Delivered in evening and online formats for working professionals.
• MBA en Management de l'Hôtellerie et de la Restauration An online MBA program in partnership with École de Savignac, training managers and entrepreneurs in hospitality, restaurant, and event management with a focus on strategic communication and revenue optimization. Designed for working professionals and delivered 100% online.
• Master en Science de Gestion A Master program in Management Sciences with specializations in project management, finance, hotel and tourism management, audit, and human resources, with potential academic mobility to EADA Barcelona or BEM Dakar for the second year. Targets graduates and working professionals seeking advanced management credentials.
• CPS Community Manager A 6-month State diploma program in Community Management covering social media content creation, community animation, performance analysis, advertising, and graphic design tools including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Targets young people seeking entry-level digital profession qualifications. Priced at 360,000 F CFA total.
• CPS Guide Interprète A 6-month State diploma program training professional tour guides to accompany and inform tourists, covering excursions, circuit management, intercultural mediation, and heritage interpretation. Priced at approximately 360,000 F CFA total.
• CPS Concepteur de Produits Touristiques A 6-month State diploma program enabling learners to create, develop, and commercialize innovative tourism products and services, with certification supervised by DECPC. Priced at 360,000 F CFA total (50,000 F CFA per month for 6 months).
• BT Réceptionniste A 3-year State diploma program training receptionists for hotels, inns, camps, and guesthouses, covering reservations, guest welcoming, stay follow-up, and departure procedures. Priced at 600,000 F CFA total (60,000 F CFA inscription plus 60,000 F CFA per month for 9 months).
• Thelma Leadership Academy (Certifying Programs) A certifying academy in partnership with École Hôtelière Privée de Marrakech (EHPM) offering short professional courses in hospitality management, including Hébergement & Commercial, Service du restaurant, and Commercial & Revenue modules. Targets hospitality professionals seeking short certifying credentials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of students are employed after their training
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• EADA BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Academic mobility partner for Master 2 programs in Science de Gestion. Thelma students can pursue specializations at EADA Barcelona, with articulation into BEM Dakar for the second year of the Master's program.
• EHPM Marrakech (École Hôtelière Privée de Marrakech)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for Thelma Leadership Academy certifying programs in Hébergement & Commercial, Service du restaurant, and Commercial & Revenue. Delivers short certifying hospitality programs in partnership with Morocco's premier hospitality school.
• École de Savignac (École Internationale de Management des Métiers de l'Hospitalité)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Flagship academic partner for hospitality management education. Thelma offers its Bachelor in Hospitality Management in co-diplomation with Savignac. The partnership enables international mobility for students and joint curriculum development in hospitality management.
• EIML Paris (École Internationale de Marketing du Luxe)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Three-year Bachelor program in Marketing et Management du Luxe offered in partnership with EIML Paris. Students benefit from international curriculum standards in luxury management and receive a double diploma.
• BEM DakarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Parent institution and flagship partner. Thelma is a subsidiary of BEM (BEM Dakar). The partnership provides academic oversight, curriculum alignment, and institutional credibility. Students benefit from BEM's reputation and network.
• 3FPT (Fonds de Financement de la Formation Professionnelle et Technique)majorOthers · 1 January 2015Governmental body providing official recognition and accreditation for professional training programs at Thelma.
• ONFP (Office National de Formation Professionnelle)majorOthers · 1 January 2015Partnership with Senegal's national vocational training office to deliver professional certification programs for unemployed youth. In 2025, Thelma trained 94 young people through this partnership.
• ANAQ-SUPmajorOthers · 1 January 2015National quality assurance agency for higher education that has accredited Thelma's Bachelor programs in Hospitality Management and Marketing et Management du Luxe.
• Pullman Dakar TérangamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Enterprise partner providing practical training venues for Thelma students. Hosted professional training sessions for reception and floor staff programs.
• Sheraton Grand DakarmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Flagship luxury hospitality enterprise partner offering internship and employment opportunities for Thelma graduates.
• Radisson Blu AbidjanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Pan-African luxury hospitality brand partner for career center and graduate recruitment.
• Terrou-BimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Landmark luxury hotel in Dakar, long-standing enterprise partner hosting student visits and offering internship and employment opportunities.
• HoscominorOthers · 1 January 2015International hospitality recruitment platform partner supporting career center with job and internship listings for students and alumni.
• Onomo HotelsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Pan-African mid-to-upscale hotel chain partner providing practical training venues for professional programs.
• Lagardère TravelmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Global travel retail and hospitality enterprise partner for career center, offering recruitment and internship opportunities for Thelma graduates.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EADA Business School Barcelona: Barcelona-based business school partnering with Thelma on Master 2 mobility; comparable in postgraduate management education with international mobility programs.
• BEM Dakar: Parent institution and Dakar-based business school offering management programs; directly comparable given Thelma's subsidiary status and overlapping business-school offerings with BEM.
• École Hôtelière Privée de Marrakech (EHPM): Morocco-based hospitality school partnering with Thelma Leadership Academy; comparable in hospitality curriculum and African francophone market positioning.
• EIML Paris: Paris-based luxury marketing school co-delivering Thelma's Bachelor in Marketing et Management du Luxe; directly comparable niche focus on luxury brand management education.
• École de Savignac: France-based hospitality management school; Thelma's flagship academic partner and the closest direct peer in hospitality/hotel management pedagogy and degree structure.
• Ostelea (School of Tourism & Hospitality): Spain-based tourism and hospitality school and international academic partner of Thelma; directly comparable in tourism and hospitality management education.

Emerging players

• African Leadership University: Pan-African higher-education group with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda; comparable as a mission-driven African business school targeting emerging-leader talent, though broader in scope.

Regional players

• Sup de Co Dakar (Groupe ISM): One of Senegal's largest private business schools with broader generalist management programs; competes in the same Dakar addressable student market for post-Bac business education.
• Groupe École Supérieure de Commerce et de Management (ESCM): Senegalese business and management school offering BTS, Licence, and Master programs; competes for working-professional continuing-education students in Dakar.

Broad incumbents

• LISAA School of Design & Fashion: France-based design and fashion school; adjacent to Thelma's luxury/fashion management programs and represents a broader European incumbent in fashion-design education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThelmaDakar
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFcHxlNpargqkOvGZmFtMoQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/thelmadakar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/thelma-business-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelmadakar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Thelma Business School