History

The African Center for Higher Studies in Management (CESAG) was established following the determination of the Heads of State of the West African Economic Community (CEAO) to provide the region with a high‑level institution for management education. This strategic decision was taken during the Bamako Conference in 1978, paving the way for the creation of a center capable of supporting the modernization of African economies.

Following the takeover of Senegal’s Higher School of Business Management (ESGE), CESAG officially began its activities in 1985, marking the start of its mission in postgraduate education and capacity building for senior executives across the region.

The dissolution of CEAO in 1994 led to the integration of CESAG under the supervision of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), which formally confirmed this arrangement in 1995. This institutional change provided CESAG with enhanced stability and a strong community anchoring within the WAEMU framework.

In 2005, the institution reached a significant milestone with the launch of CESAG Business School, expanding its academic offerings and fully integrating the Bachelor–Master–Doctorate (BMD) system to welcome students from the undergraduate level onward.

Since then, CESAG has continued its transformation to become a recognized graduate school aligned with international standards, a member of global academic networks, and a driver of strategic initiatives in management education, applied research, and capacity building.