Alesimo Mwanga, research executive director of SEA Africa, on The Social + Economic Impact of African Entrepreneurship. Presented at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Johannesburg, South Africa.

1. The Social + Economic Impact of
African Entrepreneurship Migration
Facilitator: Alesimo Mwanga, Research Executive Director, SEA Africa
Panel
Ms. Kanini Mutooni, Investment Director – East Africa Trade and
Investment (Kenya)
Mr. Bola Lowal, Co-Founder of ScholarX
Mr. Charles Sekwalor, Founder & CEO of MoveMeBack (UK)
Wale Yeni, Regional Head, Sub-Saharan Africa, International Finance
Corporation (Venture Capital).

2. Background
In Africa, very limited research or data is available on entrepreneurship
migration patterns.
Research studies that have been conducted on entrepreneurship in Africa
mainly focus on the growing informal sector, entrepreneurship as a
survivalist activity, the barriers that entrepreneurs face and the
entrepreneurial activities that occur in diverse African countries.
Very limited studies demonstrate the entrepreneurial activities of Africans
in other parts of the world. Furthermore, limited research is available that
indicates the patterns of migration and how this may impact African countries
in terms of potential loss of revenue, job creation and economic growth.

3. Background
African migration to the world has increased dramatically.
From 1960 to the year 2000, it rose from 1.8 million to
8.7 million.
Large concentrations of Africans are found mostly in the
United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). The highest
number of African migrants based in the US and UK are
Nigerians, followed by Kenyans and South Africans. Based on
the identified migration trend, an exploratory study

4. Background
Business visionaries and innovative entrepreneurs are
present within all communities.
However, not all communities adapt quickly to the disruptive
changes they provoke.
This leaves entrepreneurs and innovators to either challenge
the resistant nature of disruptive innovation, pursue rent-
seeking opportunities or migrate to an environment more
welcoming of economic creativity and innovation

5. Study Findings

6. Figure 1: Educational level
Undergraduate
Postgraduate

7. Figure 2: Professional background prior to venturing into business

8. Figure 3: Reasons for venturing into business

9. Figure 4: Business Sector

10. Figure 4: Estimated Business Revenue

11. Figure 5: Business Operation

12. Figure 5: Perceptions of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Home Country

13. Panel Insight
What does this mean for Africa?
How do we use this as an opportunity
for development in Africa?

14. Recommendations
Recommendation one: Strengthening African Ecosystems
African entrepreneurs’ first need to acquaint themselves with regional,
continental and global business dynamics in order to enhance their stakes
in the international business environment.
Recommendation two: Establish and Develop Networks with African
Diaspora Entrepreneurship Communities
African Diaspora entrepreneurship communities are a growing
phenomenon but have been underutilized within African
entrepreneurship communities. This community represents a rich
resource that leads to promising prospects for economic growth. The
community is as at advantage because of their ethnic and social
affiliations, positioning them strategically in shaping cross-border trade
and commerce activities within the African community.

15. Recommendations
Recommendation three: Investing in entrepreneurship research in
Africa, data
African entrepreneurs’ first need to acquaint themselves with regional,
continental and global business dynamics in order to enhance their stakes
in the international business environment.
Recommendation two: Establish and Develop Networks with African
Diaspora Entrepreneurship Communities
A major constraint to assessing entrepreneurship in Africa is the lack of
comprehensive data on the size and breadth of entrepreneurial activities.
Studies that attempt to measure entrepreneurship and innovation is
based on subjective measures of perceptions that cover attitudes and
activities of entrepreneurs. There is currently very limited data about
African entrepreneurs’ and firm ownership.

16. Questions