The national entrepreneurship framework conditions in sub-Saharan Africa: a comparative study of GEM data/National Expert Surveys for South Africa, Angola, Mozambique and Madagascar

Abstract

Abstract Entrepreneurship is widely argued to be critical for economic development and alleviating extreme poverty. However, entrepreneurship research in sub-Saharan Africa has not received much attention over the last few decades possibly due to a lack of sufficient resources. It is becoming increasingly important as Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, is developing rapidly and moving from a resource-based economy to one of innovation and progress. Using data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), this paper discusses the opinions of national expert informants in Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa and looks at the factors which are possibly hindering and inhibiting entrepreneurial development. The results indicate that there are four main inhibitors ranging from lack of access to finance, government policies, regulations and practices for entrepreneurs and the poor levels of entrepreneurship education. Some recommendations are made as to what can be done to assist in promoting economic development.