Université Senghor

What Université Senghor does

Université Senghor is an international French-speaking university headquartered in Borg El Arab, Egypt, functioning as the direct operator of La Francophonie (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, OIF). Established in 1990 following the 1989 Dakar Summit and named after Léopold Sédar Senghor, the university delivers postgraduate and professional training programs targeted at African executives, government officials, and development professionals. It operates across five academic departments (Culture, Environment, Management, Health, and a Doctoral School) and has produced more than 4,200 alumni across 54+ African countries, with graduates holding leadership positions in government, NGOs, and the private sector (logos cited include Orange Guinée, Médecins Sans Frontières Egypt, UN Environment Programme, Bolloré Transport & Logistics, and University of Ouagadougou).

The institution's product portfolio comprises five lines: Doctoral programs, two-year Master's programs (60 ECTS, aligned with the European LMD system), one-year University Diplomas (Diplômes d'Université), short professional Certifications, and MOOCs/CLOMs delivered through a digital learning platform with online proctoring. Delivery occurs through a main 15,000 m² campus (capacity 600 students, inaugurated October 2025) and a network of 16+ external campuses across Africa (Guinea, Senegal, DRC, Burkina Faso, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar), Europe (Hungary), and Vietnam, operated through local partner institutions. Core technology includes a digital learning platform, the TAMUS standardized aptitude test with online proctoring, and integration with the AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) digital campus.

Senghor's business model is a hybrid of multilateral government funding and tuition revenue. Six founding donor countries — France, Canada, Egypt, Switzerland, Wallonia-Brussels, and Quebec — provide ongoing financial support, with Egypt additionally providing the modern campus facilities. Tuition is modest and program-dependent: ~1,000€ for certifications, ~3,000€ for master's programs (e.g., 30,000,000 GNF in Guinea), and 100€ for the TAMUS admission test. Co-development partnerships with multilateral bodies (FAO, IUCN, AFD, ACBF, APF, Confejes, IFAO, Enssib, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, BnF) both extend curriculum reach and channel supplementary funding. Marketing is primarily community- and institutional-led through the alumni network, Francophonie member-state channels, and campus partner referrals.

Name

Université Senghor

Legal name

Université Senghor

Website

https://usenghor-francophonie.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Université Senghor is an international French-speaking university in Egypt, operating as the direct operator of La Francophonie. It delivers postgraduate degrees, certifications, and MOOCs to African executives, government officials, and development professionals, with 4,200+ alumni across 54+ African countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Professional master's degrees
• Doctoral academic programs
• Executive certification training
• Distance learning courses

Headquarters

HQ city

New Borg El-Arab City

HQ country

Egypt

HQ region

Africa

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding (Donor Countries): Université Senghor receives financial support from Francophonie member countries including France, Canada, Egypt, Switzerland, Wallonia-Brussels, and Quebec as founding donor countries
2. Student Tuition Fees: Tuition fees from students enrolling in master's programs, doctoral programs, university diplomas, certifications, and professional training programs. Fees vary by program (e.g., 1000€ registration fees for certifications, 3,000€ for certain master programs)
3. Egyptian Government Support: Egypt, as host country, provides the modern campus facilities at Borg El Arab (New Administrative Capital) offered to the university since October 2025

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Université Senghor is an international French-speaking university that delivers graduate-level academic and professional training programs to African professionals and development practitioners. Its offerings include doctoral programs, two-year master's degrees, specialized university diplomas, professional certifications, and MOOCs, organized across five academic departments (Culture, Environment, Management, Health, and cross-disciplinary). Programs are delivered at its main campus in Borg El Arab, Egypt, and through a network of 16+ partner campuses across Africa and Europe, with instruction primarily in French aligned to the European LMD system.

Product overview

Université Senghor operates as a single unified higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree and professional development programs. The core offerings consist of five interconnected product lines: Doctoral Programs (Doctorat) in partnership with the Doctoral School; two-year Master Programs across five academic departments (Culture, Environment, Management, Health, and cross-disciplinary) at the Alexandria campus and through an extensive network of 17 external partner campuses across Africa, Europe, and Vietnam; one-year University Diplomas (Diplômes d'Université) in specialized professional fields; intensive Professional Certifications (Formations Certifiantes) for continuing education; and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs/CLOMs) for distance learning. Programs are delivered primarily in French and target African development professionals, with the institution operating from its headquarters in Borg El Arab, Egypt, having relocated from Alexandria in October 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master Programs (Masters) Two-year Master programs offered across five academic departments (Culture, Environment, Management, Health, and cross-disciplinary) at the Alexandria/Borg El Arab campus and 16+ partner campuses across Africa and Europe, awarding 60 ECTS credits aligned with the European LMD system.
• Doctoral Program (Doctorat) Doctoral program delivered in partnership with the Doctoral School (École doctorale), providing advanced research training for high-level academic and professional careers in fields tied to African development.
• University Diplomas (Diplômes d'Université) Specialized one-year academic programs leading to university diplomas in areas such as archaeology and heritage (DUAP), information sciences and libraries (DUSIB), archive sciences (DUSA), sports medicine, and prevention and anti-corruption.
• Professional Certifications (Formations Certifiantes) Short and intensive professional certification programs (typically 1 month, 2-6 ECTS credits) covering sports infrastructure management, parliamentary administration, health communication, business continuity planning, legislative engineering, nutritional education, and protected area management.
• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs/CLOMs) Open online courses enabling distance learning across the francophone world, including programs on sustainable tourism and cultural heritage, delivered through a digital learning platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,200+ graduates in leadership positions across 54+ African countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 1989Université Senghor is the Direct Operator of La Francophonie. The university was created by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of French-speaking countries at the Dakar Summit in May 1989 under the auspices of the OIF. The university operates in service of the Francophonie mission.
• Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale (IFao)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the University Diploma in Archaeology and Heritage (DUAP). IFAO based in Cairo with 140+ years of experience studying Egyptian civilizations, co-develops curriculum with Senghor.
• École Nationale Supérieure des Sciences de l'Information et des Bibliothèques (Enssib)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Enssib Lyon for the University Diploma in Information Sciences and Libraries (DUSIB), along with Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Bibliothèque nationale de France
• Bibliotheca AlexandrinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the University Diploma in Information Sciences and Libraries (DUSIB). Also provides library facilities and 6-week mandatory internships for students.
• Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the University Diploma in Information Sciences and Libraries (DUSIB). Provides 6-week mandatory internship opportunities for students.
• IUCN PAPACOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Protected Areas and Africa Conservation Programme (PAPACO) of IUCN for training in Protected Area Management
• Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'Alimentation et l'Agriculture (FAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO developed the Nutritional Education program delivered by Université Senghor online in French with tutoring
• Conférence des Ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Francophonie (Confejes)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Confejes for sports management certification programs, initiated in response to needs expressed by member states' governments
• Institut Parlementaire Francophone (APF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with APF's Francophone Parliamentary Institute for legislative engineering training program
• Makesense FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Transform'Action Africa program - a pedagogical journey for leaders driving transformation in African public organizations, with support from AFD
• Fondation pour le Renforcement des Capacités en Afrique (ACBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ACBF for the Youth Leadership in Multilateral Environment certification program alongside OIF representation
• Institut Supérieur de l'Environnement et du Climat (ISE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner institution for environmental and climate programs in Senegal
• Institut Supérieur de Management (ISM) - SenegalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for multiple master's programs including Governance and Public Management, International Project Management, Oil and Gas Management, Airport Management, International Business Law, Banking Law and Compliance, Maritime Law, Energy and Mining Governance
• Institut du Développement et de la Gouvernance (IDG) - DakarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Executive Master in Banking Norms, Financial Regulation, and Banking Diplomacy, co-signed with IDG Dakar
• Centre National de Perfectionnement à la Gestion (CNPG) - GuineacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master in International Project Management, jointly with Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry
• Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de ConakrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Master in International Project Management, established in 2017 partnership, joined by CNPG in 2024
• Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Bukavu (ISEP) - DRCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in Steering and Evaluation of Public Policies, and Law and Management of Democratic State Organs
• Institut de Formation Professionnelle de Bukavu (IFPB) - Burkina FasocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in Taxation and Business Management, and Economic Analysis and Policy
• Chaire OMC - University of Abomey-Calavi, BenincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in International Project Management
• Centre d'Etudes et de Développement (CED-CI) - Côte d'IvoirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in Steering and Evaluation of Public Policies, and Governance and Public Management
• Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie (CCI) - Côte d'IvoirecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in Project Management
• Institut Supérieur de Commerce et d'Administration des Métiers (ISCAM) - MadagascarcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in Innovative Project Management
• Université Kongo - DRCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in International Public Health (M1 and M2)
• Université Internationale de Formation Continue de l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop (IUFC-UCAD) - SenegalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus partner for Master's in Project Management
• Réseau Francophone International en Conseil Scientifique (RFICS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for scientific advisory training for public decision-makers, providing expertise in science advice methodologies
• Conférence Internationale des Barreaux de tradition juridique commune (CIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiator of the University Diploma in Prevention and Fight Against Corruption and Economic/Financial Crimes, with OIF/DAPG support
• Institut Africain de Management (IAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with IAM Burkina Faso for Governance and Management of Civil Society Organizations (GMOSC) certificate program
• Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the University Diploma in Archive Sciences (DUSA) - co-produced with École des Chartes and EBAD
• École Nationale des ChartescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the University Diploma in Archive Sciences (DUSA) - co-produced with Université Senghor and EBAD
• Délégation Ministérielle à la Francophonie Sportive (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport partner for the International Sports Events Organization and Management certificate in the Francophone space (GESI), along with Campus des Métiers et des Qualifications d'Excellence du Sport 135 BPM
• Campus des Métiers et des Qualifications d'Excellence du Sport 135 BPM (Hauts-de-France, France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport partner for the International Sports Events Organization and Management certificate in the Francophone space (GESI)
• PraximumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Management and Leadership certification program for African managers, focused on new technologies, digitalization, and AI integration
• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital campus platform integration providing online learning resources and digital infrastructure for students

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Webster University (international campuses): U.S.-based private university with a comparable multi-country international campus network model (Europe, Africa, Asia) delivering Western-recognized degrees in local markets — analogous in international franchise structure though distinct in mission.
• United Nations University (UNU): Intergovernmental postgraduate research and training institution funded by member states with a comparable UN-system-style governance structure, focus on developing-country capacity building, and global delivery via partner institutions.
• INSEAD: Global business school with significant African executive education activity and multi-campus model; competes for the same senior African professional cohort seeking internationally-recognized management credentials.
• Sciences Po: French institution with explicit Africa programs (Sciences Po in Africa, dual degrees with African universities) and a public affairs/governance focus that directly overlaps with Senghor's governance and public management master's tracks.

Direct peers

• Ashesi University: Ghanaian liberal arts and leadership university with a similar African leadership development mandate, scholarship-funded model, and emphasis on ethics and civic responsibility — competes for the same African professional talent pool.
• African Leadership University (ALU): Pan-African higher education institution training African leaders across multiple campuses (Mauritius, Rwanda) with a comparable mission of developing African talent, similar multi-country delivery model, and similar professional/executive credentialing focus.
• African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS): Pan-African network of centers of excellence for postgraduate training in mathematical sciences with multiple country sites and similar continental scale-up mission, donor-funded model, and emphasis on African scientific capacity.
• ENAM / INSP (Institut National du Service Public, ex-ENA): France's elite school for training senior civil servants — the historical model for francophone public administration training and a direct functional comparator for Senghor's governance, public policy, and public finance programs.

Others

• Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF): Sister organization within La Francophonie that supports higher education and research across francophone universities globally. Operates the digital campus platform that Senghor integrates with; comparable in francophone academic ecosystem positioning.

Regional players

• Pan-Atlantic University: Nigerian private professional university (Lagos Business School, etc.) offering executive education with a similar African development and professional credentialing focus, but primarily serving the Anglophone West African market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/universit%C3%A9-senghor-universit%C3%A9-internationale-de-langue-fran%C3%A7aise-au-service-du-d%C3%A9veloppement
• Facebookfacebook.com/Universite.Senghor
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Universit%C3%A9Senghor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Université Senghor