The 2026 ranking assessed 173 business schools worldwide, evaluating the extent to which MBA programmes prepare graduates to address society's most pressing economic, social and environmental challenges. Unlike rankings that focus primarily on prestige, salary outcomes or employer perceptions, the Better World MBA ranking measures how effectively business schools equip future leaders to create sustainable value for business, society and the planet.
For Gibs, the recognition reflects a deliberate and long-term commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of management education. "At Gibs, sustainability is not an elective topic that sits on the margins of the curriculum. It is integrated into how we think about leadership, strategy, innovation and responsible business practice," said Professor Morris Mthombeni, dean of Gibs. "This ranking affirms our belief that business schools have a critical role to play in shaping leaders who can navigate complexity while creating positive impact for society."
The Corporate Knights methodology places significant emphasis on curriculum content, allocating 80% of the overall score to the sustainability content embedded within core MBA courses and 20% to alumni impact, measured by graduates employed in impact-focused organisations.
This weighting aligns closely with Gibs' educational philosophy. Rather than treating sustainability as a specialist area, the School has integrated sustainable development principles throughout its academic programmes.
A key example is the incorporation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Action Learning Projects across Gibs programmes. Through these projects, students apply academic theories to complex organisational and societal challenges, ensuring that sustainability principles are translated into practical business solutions.
By embedding the SDGs into experiential learning, Gibs equips students not only to understand sustainability challenges, but also to develop the leadership capabilities required to address them within organisations and communities.
Gibs has further strengthened its commitment to sustainability through innovative programme design. In 2024, the School launched its first MBA stream focused exclusively on climate leadership and sustainability.
The climate leadership stream equips students with a deep understanding of climate-related risks and opportunities, develops their ability to think critically about sustainability challenges, and provides practical frameworks for organisational transformation. The immersive programme is further enriched by a study visit to the University of Exeter Business School in the UK, exposing students to world-leading expertise in climate and sustainability leadership.
Through its partnership with Exeter, including collaboration with the acclaimed One Planet MBA programme, Gibs continues to broaden students' exposure to leading international thinking while grounding learning in the realities and opportunities of the African context.
"This achievement reflects the collective commitment of our faculty, students, alumni and partners to reimagining the role of business in society," said Mthombeni. "We are proud to see Gibs recognised among the world's leading business schools and remain committed to developing leaders who will create lasting value for Africa and the world."
As global demand grows for responsible leadership and sustainable business solutions, Gibs continues to demonstrate that business education can be a powerful force for positive change, preparing leaders not only to succeed in business, but to help build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable future.
