Strathmore University’s Dr. Mumbi Maria Wachira has been appointed the new Chair of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Chapter Africa Steering Committee, following a decision at the organization’s Annual General Meeting on November 5, 2025. Known for her pioneering research and teaching on the intersections of accounting, society, and the environment, Dr. Wachira now takes on a continental leadership role, one that places her at the heart of Africa’s dialogue on sustainability, ethics, and the future of management education.

Bringing together educators, thought leaders, and sustainability champions from across the continent, the tone of the session was reflective, marking five years of progress in promoting responsible management education in Africa, while acknowledging the work still to be done.

Dr. Wachira’s journey is deeply intertwined with Strathmore University. She holds both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Commerce from Strathmore Business School, before earning her Ph.D. from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. Her academic and research work interrogates the intersections between accounting practice, society, and the environment, seeking to understand how financial systems and sustainability goals can coexist, particularly in developing and emerging economies.

Her research has been presented in global conferences, including the African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA), the European Accounting Association (EAA) and the European Academy of Management (EURAM). She has also published widely on sustainability and environmental reporting in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting both the promise and pitfalls of current reporting frameworks.

Now, as she assumes the chairmanship of PRME Chapter Africa, she is joined by Dr. Dina Abdel Fattah, Dr. Cecile Feront, Tania De Santos Ford, and Prof. Hadia FakhrElDin, among others. Dr. Wachira’s mandate is to help shape the narrative and action plan for responsible management education on the continent.

Taking the helm of her first major session as Chair, Dr. Wachira led a spirited and thought-provoking panel on the role of universities and business schools in navigating Africa’s shifting sustainability landscape.

Her opening remarks set the tone. “Africa’s sustainability challenges are not simply environmental, they are social, economic, and deeply contextual. Our universities must become places where these conversations can happen boldly, honestly, and with ownership of our narratives.”

The discussion brought together a diverse panel, including Paul Muthaura, CEO, Africa Carbon Markets Initiative, Manal Hassan, Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Elsewedy Electric, Dr. Chantal Naido, Founding Director, Rabai Transitions, Prof. Naoko Tojo, Founder Tojo Kobo and Dr. Herve Lado, Africa Head, United Nations Global Compact who explored how African educational institutions could leverage local resources, from natural capital to youthful populations, for sustainable development. Yet, as the conversation unfolded, it became clear that the sustainability agenda is not a one-size-fits-all blueprint.

Dr. Wachira steered the dialogue toward one of the day’s most critical themes: the localization of global sustainability frameworks. Panelists highlighted that Africa’s voice has often been missing or muted in international sustainability conversations.

“We must ‘Africanize’ these frameworks,” Dr. Chantal argued, “because our realities differ. We have diverse histories, economies, and ecosystems. Sustainability cannot be imported wholesale.”

Manal reinforced this sentiment, noting that Africa continues to bear a disproportionate share of the pressure to meet carbon reduction targets, despite contributing minimally to global emissions. She challenged the prevailing tendency to treat Africa as a monolith in climate discussions, calling instead for nuanced approaches that reflect regional diversity and local realities.

Panelists further discussed how universities could foster ‘safe spaces’ for such critical discourse, encouraging both faculty and students to interrogate global models and propose indigenous solutions.

One of the most resonant moments came when Prof. Tojo spoke about the importance of African ownership in sustainability education. She urged universities to collaborate more intentionally, to unionize their voices and assert Africa’s perspectives on global platforms. Dr. Wachira supported this view, adding that African academia must not only teach sustainability but also model it, in governance, partnerships, and research practices.

This call to intellectual and moral leadership was echoed by Dr. Lado, who emphasized the need for academia to engage more actively with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in global forums that assess Africa’s progress.

Dr. Wachira did not shy away from addressing difficult topics. She raised the issue of internationalization and leadership challenges, reflecting on gaps in financial capacity and ownership in collaborative initiatives. She emphasized that for Africa to thrive in the global academic space, its scholars must lead with both confidence and competence while evaluating contributions, demanding fairness, and safeguarding originality.

Later, as discussions turned to Africa’s carbon credit market, panelists revealed the staggering cost of certification, which can reach up to $250,000, often locking out African companies from participating in global climate solutions.

By the close of the AGM, it was clear that the PRME Chapter Africa had entered a new phase, one defined by collaboration, contextual awareness, and conviction. Alongside Vice-Chair Dr. Dina Abdel Fattah, Dr. Wachira now leads a newly constituted Steering Committee, all united by a shared commitment to embedding responsible management education across the continent.

In her closing reflections, Dr. Wachira encouraged participants to continue engaging in collaborative learning and to strengthen the continent’s ownership of its sustainability narrative. She emphasized the importance of establishing supportive structures within academic and professional settings that enable African voices to contribute to shaping global sustainability conversations.

For Strathmore University, Dr. Wachira’s appointment is a reaffirmation of the University’s enduring commitment to advancing responsible management education and fostering a sustainable future for Africa.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu.