The United Nations predicts more than half of the world’s population growth between now and 2050 will occur in Africa.
By 2100, they estimate as much as 40 percent of the global population will reside there. The region’s youthful population and rising energy needs make it a fascinating place to learn what it takes to transition to a green economy.
Tuck students explored the associated trade-offs and challenges during a recent Global Insight Expedition (GIX) to South Africa. There, they met with entrepreneurs, politicians, and business leaders working in the trenches of the country’s clean energy transition. This includes the startup Zonke Energy which provides low-cost solar energy via “micro grids” to refugee and immigrant settlements. Although national interest and investment in clean energy is rising, South Africa still depends on coal for 80 percent of its energy needs.
“What’s unique about exploring this topic in South Africa is you are immediately hit with these contradictions,” says Liana Frey D’92, T’98, an adjunct professor at Tuck who led the South Africa GIX in December. “Many of us are used to thinking about climate and energy issues at a global level, but it’s much different to be on the ground at a decommissioned coal plant talking about how to stimulate the economy and replace lost jobs. It provides a much richer perspective.”
Many of us are used to thinking about climate and energy issues at a global level, but it’s much different to be on the ground at a decommissioned coal plant talking about how to stimulate the economy and replace lost jobs. It provides a much richer perspective.
— Liana Frey D’92, T’98
In addition to South Africa, students and faculty traveled to Australia, Chile, France, India, Japan, Sweden, Tawain, Argentina, Kenya, Vietnam, and South Korea for GIXs during the 2024–2025 academic year. These immersive, experiential learning courses fulfill the Bakala TuckGO global learning requirement and give students a ground-level view of the key forces driving business in these markets.
Climate innovation in South Africa is complicated by several factors, says Frey. Among them, the country sits on one of the world’s largest coal reserves and continues to wrestle with the legacy of apartheid, reflected in high unemployment that often falls along racial lines. As South Africa’s infrastructure expands to accommodate its growing population, the success of its clean energy transition will have a profound impact on global progress toward net zero.
“It’s apparent that cities in South Africa and across the region are going to become larger and more populated,” says Frey. “The question is whether the energy and infrastructure can be built in a more sustainable way. There is immense potential and the business leaders we met with were incredibly optimistic and passionate about making it happen.”
Led by C.V. Starr Professor of Operations Management Laurens Debo, the South Korea GIX was the first-ever GIX hosted in the country.
The South Korea GIX, led by C.V. Starr Professor of Operations Management Laurens Debo, was the first-ever GIX hosted in the country. The course examined “the miracle on the Han River,” a phrase used to describe South Korea’s economic rise in the period following the Korean War. Recent political disruption, including a declaration of martial law, nearly prevented the GIX from happening.
“Several students and I were flying into Seoul when martial law was declared,” says Debo, whose research at Tuck focuses on consumer behavior in different service settings.
As the martial law order went into effect, the group was unsure whether the GIX could continue. Fortunately, the declaration was lifted within a few hours and the course was able to proceed as planned.
“Witnessing this dramatic event in real time was certainly a memorable experience for all of us,” says Debo.
The unfolding political situation only heightened the impact of visits to the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the Seodaemun Prison History Museum, and the War Memorial of Korea. They also met with e-commerce giant Coupang, which Debo describes as the South Korean equivalent of Amazon, and the pharmaceutical company Kolmar.
In their interactions with business leaders, local people, and each other, students are constantly confronting their own assumptions and biases. They come out of the experience feeling more empathetic and confident in bringing their authentic selves to the table.
— Lisa Miller, Executive Director, Bakala TuckGO Program
“Coupang was a young, Western-style organization. Many of the employees spoke English and it felt very familiar,” says Debo. “In contrast, Kolmar was much more traditional. Those visits highlighted stark differences in business norms and culture even within the country.”
The opportunity to reflect on these cultural differences in a structured way is part of what makes GIX such a transformative learning experience, says Lisa Miller, executive director of the Bakala TuckGO program.
“In their interactions with business leaders, local people, and each other, students are constantly confronting their own assumptions and biases,” says Miller. “They come out of the experience feeling more empathetic and confident in bringing their authentic selves to the table. Developing these intercultural leadership skills is critical for students seeking to lead in an increasingly global business world.”
Read on to learn more about the 2024–2025 Global Insight Expeditions through reflections shared by first- and second-year Tuck MBA students.
Tuck MBA Students Reflect on 2024-2025 Global Insight Expeditions
France Global Insight Expedition: Exploring Sustainable Farming
“Before the GIX to France, my understanding of European agriculture was limited. What surprised me most was the severity of the generational crisis in farming—nearly 50 percent of French farmers are set to retire within the next decade, with fewer young people stepping in to replace them. One of the most impactful moments was visiting the family farm of Tuck graduate Nick, whose story brought this issue to life.” —Morgan Rennekamp T’25
South Korea Global Insight Expedition: Edge Manufacturing and Operational Excellence in South Korea
“On the business side, I found the company visits incredibly insightful. Visiting Coupang, South Korea’s largest e-commerce company, was eye-opening in terms of scale and logistics. However, the highlight for me was Taelim Industrial. I was truly impressed by their cutting-edge advanced manufacturing capabilities and the level of efficiency and transparency in their operations.” —Willian Bezerra T’25
Australia Global Insight Expedition: Private Equity and Impact Investing
“One of the most inspiring visits was to First Australians Capital, an organization that builds investment readiness and designs capital solutions for Indigenous businesses. Given my deep interest in socially focused venture capital, it was fascinating to hear their perspective on impact investing and compare it with the discussions I’ve been having as a director of the Tuck Social Venture Fund.” —Ela Castelli T’25
India Global Insight Expedition: Emerging Markets
“In the food retail sector, we learned how empowering intermediaries rather than bypassing them is the key strategy to serve the needs of the country’s rising middle class. For example, we saw how startups complement mom-and-pop stores (kiranas) with digital tools to improve productivity through sourcing and logistics, rather than seeking to replace this traditional channel. India’s extensive digital connectivity—1.2 billion mobile connections and payment platforms like UPI—makes such solutions scalable, even in remote areas.” —Valeria Tiffer T’25
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