BCG Africa

hey there :)

Happy new year and great question. From what I have seen and from my own BCG internship experience, signing bonuses in African BCG offices do exist for post MBA hires but are less standardized and usually lower than London or Middle East, often depending on office need and candidate profile rather than a fixed range. Internal mobility after around two years is realistic if you perform well, especially towards the Middle East, while London is more competitive but still possible with strong sponsorship and a clear story. If you are flexible on timing and proactive in networking internally it becomes much easier. Feel free to reach out if you want to dive deeper.

best,
Alessa :)

Adrien, 

I've actually worked with an Oxbridge MBA grad who went on to an African MBB. In their situation, they didn't get a signing bonus and they've been trying to transfer to London for the past 2 years. 

To my knowledge, typically African offices do not offer signing bonuses. But these things change with time and I don't have a full overview. But honestly, it's not like this can actually influence (or at least shouldn't) your decision about where to apply. 

Re transfers - it typically gets easier after the second year, but 'big' offices are always difficult to transfer into. 

If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to reach out. 

Best,
Cristian

That's a very strategic choice to target BCG Africa post-MBA, especially coming from Oxbridge—it positions you well for accelerated career growth in high-impact regions.

On the compensation front, you should calibrate your expectations significantly regarding signing bonuses. Unlike North America or Western Europe, where the signing bonus is standardized and mandatory due to the extremely competitive local talent pool, the African offices operate differently. They usually focus on a strong base salary and a competitive performance bonus structure relative to their local market rates. While small, localized stipends may exist, the large six-figure signing bonuses seen in the US or London are generally not part of the standard post-MBA compensation package in Cairo, Lagos, or Casablanca. Your focus should be on the total compensation package and the quality of the project experience rather than a large upfront cash incentive.

The question of internal mobility is critical and requires understanding how the global system actually works. Transferring after 24 months is definitely possible, but it is not a guarantee and it is rarely "easy." You need two things: exceptional performance reviews (top 10-15% of your class) and a strong business case for the receiving office. The Middle East (Dubai/Riyadh) is often an easier transition point than London, primarily because of the massive growth in sovereign wealth fund work and the closer operational ties to North Africa. London is extremely headcount constrained and oversaturated with high-caliber candidates, so unless you possess a highly specialized skillset the London office desperately needs, securing that permanent transfer will be difficult.

Your actionable strategy while in Africa should be to staff immediately on projects that have cross-regional exposure (e.g., coordinating with the Middle East cluster on a regional strategy, or working remotely on a global project). This builds your internal sponsor network in your target offices, which is the single most important factor in securing a permanent move.

Hope this insight helps you plan your next steps! All the best.

Hi Adrien,

Signing bonuses for post MBA hires at BCG Africa do exist, but they tend to be more modest and less standardized than in the US or Western Europe, often depending on office needs, seniority, and prior experience. Internal mobility after around two years is possible, particularly to the Middle East, and less commonly to London, but it is not automatic and depends on performance, business demand, and strong sponsorship from your home office. Many consultants do gain international exposure through staffing or secondments before a formal transfer.

Best,
Evelina

Hi there,

Signing bonuses tend to be on the lower end. After working locally for 1-2 years, you're more likely able to move to another office outside of the continent.