Historically, entrepreneurs have always played a central role in the development of nation states. Aside from rentier states, which depend extensively on the availability of mineral resource rents,... Show moreHistorically, entrepreneurs have always played a central role in the development of nation states. Aside from rentier states, which depend extensively on the availability of mineral resource rents, most economically prosperous nations in the world have strong, innovative and competitive business enterprises and entrepreneurs as the bedrock of their economic development and prosperity. It was arguably because of the above historical fact that the World Bank in 1989 declared that entrepreneurs will play a central role in transforming African economies. This collective volume deals with theory, structure and practice of entrepreneurship in diverse African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Contributions: Introduction (Akinyinka Akinyoade, Ton Dietz and Chibuike Uche). Part 1: Examination of related theories and innovations. Methodological challenges of entrepreneurship research in the least developed East African Countries (Emiel L. Eijdenberg); Africapitalism: a management idea for business in Africa? (Kenneth Amaeshi and Uwafiokun Idemudia); Inclusive business in Africa: priorities, strategies and challenges (Addisu A. Lashitew and Rob van Tulder); Innovation as a key to success? Case studies of innovative start-ups in Kenya and Nigeria (Miguel Heilbron, André Leliveld and Peter Knorringa); Innovation in manufacturing SMEs in Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania: a grounded view on the research and policy issues (Jaap Voeten). Part 2: Entrepreneurship development, country studies. An institutional analysis of entrepreneurship development in Nigeria (Abel Ezeoha and Afam Ituma); Entrepreneurship development in Africa: insights from Nigeria's and Zimbabwe's telecoms (Nnamdi O. Madichie, Knowledge Mpofu and Jerry Kolo); The development of entrepreneurship in Sudan (Yagoub Ali Gangi and Hesham E. Mohammed); Challenges to entrepreneurship development in Tanzania (Nsubili Isaga and Albogast Musabila); Institutional and contextual factors effects on entrepreneurship in Cameroon: the case of the transport sector (Françoise Okah-Efogo and Crescence Marie-France Okah-Atenga). Part 3: Entrepreneurship and sectoral considerations or determinants. Dangote cement: the challenges of pan-African expansion (Akinyinka Akinyoade and Chibuike Uche); Culture as a facilitator and a barrier to entrepreneurship development in Uganda (Jane N.O. Khayesi, Arthur Sserwanga and Rebecca Kiconco); African women large-scale entrepreneurs: cases from Angola, Nigeria and Ghana (Miriam Siun, Akinyinka Akinyoade and Ewurabena Quaye); Financial barriers and how to overcome them: the case of women entrepreneurs in Tanzania (Marta Lindvert); Gentlemanly capitalism and entrepreneurial management: formation and rise of Nigeria's Guaranty Trust Bank, 19902002 (Ayodeji Olukoju); Indigenous banking enterprises: the rise of Nigerian multinational banks (Chibuike Uche). [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Africa's population has grown extremely rapidly over the last fifty years from 289 million inhabitants in 1961 to more than 1 billion today. This is a growth rate of 350% in just half a century... Show moreAfrica's population has grown extremely rapidly over the last fifty years from 289 million inhabitants in 1961 to more than 1 billion today. This is a growth rate of 350% in just half a century and the number of urban residents has increased even more quickly: from 65 million in 1960 to 460 million today, or from 20% to 46% of the population as a whole. Demographers predict that soon more than 50% of all Africans will be living in cities. The average life expectancy, literacy rates and primary-school attendance figures in Africa have also all increased spectacularly. And today there are large numbers of relatively healthy, well-educated young people with a more international view of the world. Changes in the structure of Africa's population are evident in the continent's population pyramid. A 'youth bulge' can be seen in Southern Africa's population statistics, with those aged between 10 and 30 far outnumbering those in the 0-10 age group and those over 30 years of age. In other parts of Africa, and for Africa as a whole, the population statistics still have a pyramid structure and have not yet created the sort of onion shape seen in Southern Africa. The expectation is, however, that a declining birth rate across Africa over the next few decades will lead to a change in the continent's population structure and there will be a relatively high number of 10-30 year olds compared to other parts of the world. The fact that there are so many youth in Africa today and that they are much better educated than their parents ever were is having a big impact on the labour market. The youth are starting to feel disillusioned about the lack of job opportunities and are realizing that their (reasonably good) level of education is not going to allow them direct or easy access to greater prosperity and a better life. Show less