TRIUM Global EMBA alumna proves women in Africa can have a positive impact on the global economy

Dayo Forster is making a difference. With a TRIUM Global Executive MBA and a PhD and bachelor’s degree from the London School of Economics, Forster, from Gambia, is one of a new wave of ambitious women in Africa who are propelling the continent’s countries toward emerging economy status.  

Before beginning her TRIUM EMBA, Forster was project leader in East Africa for the World Savings Bank Institute (WSBI) Gates Project. This project, funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed to double the number of savings accounts held by the poor. Since finishing her EMBA program, she has ventured into more entrepreneurial endeavors, launching Toghal, a homeware startup which reinterprets traditional designs from the continent to produce contemporary designs for the home.

Understanding the global economy

Reflecting on her time at TRIUM, Forster says the EMBA program made her more curious. “It has widened my ability, or at least my confidence, in tackling new aspects of my work,” she says. “I have been able to think through HR issues related to building a team, for example, considering the skills required and how to build a blend of abilities and personalities.”

When Forster began considering TRIUM versus other EMBA programs, a key deciding factor was the convenience of the schedule. “The way the resident modules were structured fit in closely with my children’s school terms, and meant my being away wasn’t that disruptive to family life,” she says.

One of TRIUM’s strengths is teaching students to understand the global economy as well as emerging economies from a larger perspective, and this was an especially important takeaway. “Getting insight into what China and India mean for the world – and for Africa – meant a great deal to me. I liked how the program tried to integrate some local content into the modules on global economy, so that I got a sense of what made business in China and India tick.”

Forster has put emerging economies theory into practice with the recent launch of Toghal. As one of the entrepreneurial women in Africa, she is building what she hopes will be a business with global appeal as well as contributing to the global economy.