1st Edition
Entrepreneurship in Africa Context and Perspectives
It is now widely recognized that in regions like Africa, for economic and other reasons, the public sector has had to disengage and divest from many areas of the economy and allow private enterprise, especially scalable start-ups and new ventures, to enter and flourish if economic development and employment are to grow. There is, however, a training and education gap since entrepreneurship is rarely taught formally at African universities and, when it is, it is often approached from a Western perspective which may not be appropriate given that African environments are significantly different from most Western ones in terms of economic infrastructure and political considerations.
This book allows readers to understand the African entrepreneurial context by guiding them through the principal stages in the life of a new venture, and offers approaches, both Western and indigenous, that can inform their entrepreneurial actions. It concludes by examining some specialized topics, including female, youth, and social entrepreneurship, as well as real estate and technology. Exercises throughout the book will enable readers to evaluate their motivations and preparedness for entrepreneurship and learn how to communicate a new venture’s key features to potential stakeholders.
By focusing on the distinctive features of entrepreneurship in the African context, and taking a conversational tone, this is an informative and practical text that will be useful for students of Global Entrepreneurship and Business as well as actual and prospective entrepreneurs in the private, non-profit, and public sectors.
Part I: The Basics
1. The African Environment for Entrepreneurship
2. Theories of Entrepreneurship
Part II: Birth
3. Mindset, Capabilities and Goals
Part III: Growth
4. Financing the Venture
5. The Marketing Imperative
6. Operations and Supply Chain Management
7. Managing Networks and Teams
Part IV: Maturity
8. Next Steps
Part V: Special Topics on African Entrepreneurship
9. African Women Entrepreneurs
10. Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Real Estate Development
11. Understanding Entrepreneurs: A Focus on Youth
12. Technologies Enabling Entrepreneurship in Africa
Biography
Ven Sriram is Professor at the University of Baltimore, USA.
David Lingelbach is Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Baltimore, USA.
Tigineh Mersha is Professor of Management at the University of Baltimore, USA.
Franklyn Manu is Professor at the Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration, Ghana.
"This text offers an authoritative and insightful exposition of entrepreneurship in the African context. Its compelling narrative reflects the historical tapestry of African entrepreneurship as well as the contemporary environmental backdrop within which entrepreneurs, of varying demographics, operate, survive, and innovate. The major topics are impressively discussed and illuminated with case evidence, and the book’s conversational style appealingly echoes the African ‘voice’. S-u-p-e-r-b!"
Kevin Ibeh, Professor of Marketing and International Business at Birkbeck, University of London, UK
"Entrepreneurship in Africa: Context and Perspectives is a must-read textbook for faculty and students who want to understand entrepreneurship and small business management from an African perspective. This book can be described as an all-round textbook for entrepreneurship educators and students as it covers not only traditional entrepreneurship textbooks topics but also includes special topics on African entrepreneurs."
Bernard Acquah Obeng, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of Business Management Department, GIMPA Business School, Ghana
