Isuzu East Africa (Isuzu EA), a leading automotive company in the region, recently welcomed students and faculty from New York University’s Stern School of Business Executive MBA (EMBA) program. This visit underscores the company’s dedication to knowledge-sharing and fostering global business connections.
The Executive MBA students, consisting of 58 executive-level leaders and three faculty staff members, were in Kenya for a week-long Global Immersion Experience (GIE)—a for-credit course designed to provide senior leaders with first-hand exposure to business environments abroad.
The visit to Isuzu EA was a key part of their Kenyan itinerary, offering them a glimpse into the operations of one of East Africa’s leading automotive firms.
Understanding Isuzu EA’s Role in Kenya’s Automotive Industry
During the visit, the EMBA students were introduced to Isuzu EA’s strategic contributions to Kenya’s economic growth, as well as its role in East Africa’s transport and logistics sector. The company’s leadership provided deep insights into:
✅ Kenya’s economic and business landscape
✅ Isuzu EA’s production capacity and operations
✅ Regional trading blocs and tariff structures
✅ Challenges and opportunities in the automotive industry
✅ Skill development and workforce acquisition
Speaking at the event, Rita Kavashe, Chair of the Board and Managing Director of Isuzu EA, highlighted the vast business potential in Kenya and Africa, emphasizing the continent’s youthful and dynamic population.
“Kenya and Africa have a young population, which presents opportunities for business growth. We are pleased to host you so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the business landscape in Kenya and East Africa,” she stated.
“We are thankful to New York University for giving us this special visit in the region.”
Exploring Isuzu EA’s Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Sustainability
The visiting executives also learned about Isuzu EA’s brand partnership with Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, a collaboration that embodies excellence, endurance, and reliability—qualities that define the Isuzu brand.
Additionally, discussions covered:
✔️ Isuzu EA’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including road safety programs, educational partnerships, and environmental sustainability projects.
✔️ The role of the Isuzu EA Foundation in supporting skill development and workforce training.
✔️ The company’s efforts in corporate sustainability, as guided by Dr. Fred Wasike, Isuzu EA’s Director of Human Resources and Corporate Sustainability.
The engagement gave the students a comprehensive look at how Isuzu EA integrates business success with corporate responsibility, aligning with global sustainability goals.
A Tradition of Corporate Hospitality and Knowledge Exchange
The visit from NYU Stern’s EMBA students is part of Isuzu EA’s long-standing commitment to corporate hospitality and education. Over the past year, the company has hosted several high-profile international business delegations, including:
📌 CEO Apprenticeship Program (CAP) Uganda – In July 2023, Isuzu EA hosted 25 executives from Uganda across various sectors, including agriculture, banking, telecoms, media, and healthcare.
📌 China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Executive MBA Students – In August 2024, Isuzu EA welcomed 40 executive MBA students from CEIBS who were in Nairobi for a one-week module on Doing Business in Africa at Strathmore University Business School.
📌 Japanese Government Delegation – In January 2025, Isuzu EA received a high-level visit from Mr. Hisayuki Fujii, Japan’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Hiroshi Matsuura, Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, alongside 50 Japanese company representatives. The delegation toured the company’s assembly plant and operations to understand Kenya’s growing automotive sector.
These visits reinforce Isuzu EA’s role as a key player in Kenya’s economic landscape, providing international business leaders with valuable industry insights.
NYU Stern Faculty and Students Praise Isuzu EA’s Innovation and Leadership
The NYU Stern team expressed their appreciation for the in-depth learning experience at Isuzu EA.
Dr. Erin Tanaka, Associate Director of the Global Immersion Experience at NYU Stern, emphasized the value of real-world applications in executive education.
“Company visits are central to the Global Immersion Experience (GIE) and provide valuable real-world applications to the theoretical concepts and skills learned in the classroom,” she noted.
One of the visiting executives remarked:
“I have participated in many GIEs, but this one has been extensive and fascinating in helping us understand the full scale of the company’s processes. There has been so much grace in each interaction. We were happy to meet you and visit Kenya. It is a beautiful country.”
The visit concluded with a guided plant tour of Isuzu EA’s assembly process, allowing the executives to witness first-hand how the company maintains its reputation for quality, efficiency, and sustainability in vehicle production.
