“It’s about people, planet and profit – something I will take with me wherever I go”

Bangaly Danfakha’s professional journey spans three continents. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in China, he worked in Nigeria and later spent nearly 12 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo launching on a new market and managing a wholesale pharmaceutical company. His role involved marketing and distributing malaria treatments across major cities.

“For years, my focus was simple: sell products and make profit. We didn’t think about customers or the environment, just sales.”

Despite his success, Bangaly felt the need for change:

” I had the same routine every year – I wanted to change, try something new, maybe find a new challenge.”

Why Sweden?

Sweden stood out for its reputation in sustainability and innovation, and the SI scholarship made the move possible, he shares:

“The scholarship made it possible for me to move. It covers tuition and living costs, so I can focus on studying without financial stress. This offer made Sweden a natural choice.”

Bangaly also highlights the quality of education and the chance to join an international classroom. His classmates include peers from Sweden, Germany, Ghana, Italy, China, and Senegal, creating a rich environment for exchange. A big difference from his previous study experience is the small class size – something he has come to value and see as an opportunity for closer interaction with professors and peers. His one-year master’s programme in Marketing for Sustainable Business Management has introduced him to a new way of thinking:

“The focus on my work used to be to sell and make a profit. But, through my programme, I have learned that it’s not just about profit. It’s about people, planet, and profit – the triple bottom line. That’s something I will take with me wherever I go.”

As for the future, Bangaly hopes to combine his experience and new knowledge to create impact:

“Leaving my wife and two kids in Dakar was not easy, but I wanted to do something different. I’ve spent five years in China and almost twelve years in Congo, but never in Europe – so this is eye-opening. The reality we live in Africa is socially different from Sweden, and I think these experiences, plus the connections I make here, can help me in my future career.”