Case Study
Sabastar Executive Leadership and Performance Acceleration Program
Client Overview
Sabastar General Trading Co. Ltd is a diversified East African enterprise with strong roots in Eritrea and regional operations in South Sudan since 2007. Founded as a family business, Sabastar has grown into a multi-sector company involved in general trade, construction, logistics, and civil engineering. The company is known for its supply of essential goods ranging from foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals to petroleum products and building materials serving both private sector clients and government agencies. Sabastar also manages large-scale infrastructure projects, including road construction, water treatment systems and building works, supported by a robust fleet of heavy machinery and a skilled, multinational workforce.
Identified Gap
A Vantage Africa Training Needs Assessment in early 2025 revealed pressing issues including thin strategic foresight, weak communications frameworks, undernourished conflict management, and minimal recent training investment. Workers identified skill gaps in strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, utilization of data, financial planning, and people management — specifically in delegating, coaching, and influencing.
Vantage Africa School of Leadership was engaged to fill the gap with training. We designed and delivered a highly interactive, situation-relevant leadership training that addressed technical as well as cultural change needs.
How Training Was Conducted
The training was conducted physically over 8 days, with a 40-hour focus on strategic leadership, emotional intelligence, people management and organizational effectiveness. The sessions were dynamic and reflective, allowing staff to unpack internal challenges while building practical skills for forward momentum.
| Day | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Day 1 |
Session 1: Emotional Intelligence (EQ) in Leadership Session 2: Communication Mastery Session 3: Managing Difficult Conversations & Conflict Session 4: Building Trust & Influence |
| Day 2 |
Session 5: Performance Management Essentials — Setting Expectations, KPIs Session 6: Delegation, Ownership & Execution Session 7: Team Collaboration & Communication Session 8: Managing Time, Priorities & Deadlines |
| Day 3 |
Session 9: Strategic Thinking & Foresight Session 10: Driving Change Without Authority Session 11: Aligning Individual & Team Goals to the Bigger Picture Session 12: Personal Growth Plan & Peer Coaching |
Training Outcomes
The training marked a bold step toward transforming not just leadership skills, but organizational culture and performance across the board. Facing challenges around strategic foresight, communication breakdowns, and people management gaps, Sabastar’s leadership team leaned into this training with intent and energy.
The sessions equipped managers with tools to lead with emotional intelligence, foster collaboration, manage conflict effectively, and align individual performance to the company’s broader mission. Participants reported stronger clarity in decision-making, improved delegation, and an increased ability to lead through influence rather than just authority.
This training didn't just sharpen professional capacity; it reignited a shared sense of ownership and purpose among staff. Sabastar now moves forward with a leadership team better prepared to navigate growth, drive operational excellence, and model the values of the organization across its East African footprint.
Let’s Create Your Next Impactful Training
Are you looking to design a results-oriented, high-impact training program like the one we delivered for Sabastar? At Vantage Africa, we partner with organizations to create tailored capacity-building solutions that drive measurable results and lasting transformation.