African entrepreneurial ecosystem resource constraints: a covid-19 perspective
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd
Abstract
Ordinarily, African countries suffer severe resource constraints. Resource constraints refer to insufficient means to meet sustainable economic growth demands. Regarding entrepreneurial activities, a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem is needed for the large uptake of and sustained interest in entrepreneurship. It is on record that African countries’ dilapidated infrastructure and maladministration, including weak institutions, are reasons sustainable entrepreneurial activities have been less than optimal. The recent COVID-19 pandemic no doubt extended the challenge of entrepreneurship on the continent. Using Pickering and Byrne’s (2014) systematic quantitative assessment technique, we identified, assessed and interpreted available research evidence that assisted us in exploring the impact of resource constraints on African entrepreneurial ecosystem formation, development and growth. We noted that COVID-19 added complexities to perennial questions about making African entrepreneurship ecosystems fit for supporting entrepreneurship development. Although African economies were already constrained in many ways, including their business environment, we conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges and opportunities for business management and entrepreneurship. While businesses could adapt in many cases, several aspects—such as government regulations, consumer behaviour shifts and global supply chain disruptions—were beyond their control. Navigating these uncertainties required agility, resilience and an ability to innovate, but it also highlighted the vulnerabilities and risks inherent in the modern globalised economy.
Description
Keywords
African Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, COVID-19, Entrepreneurship, Resource Constraints, Small and Medium Enterprises
Citation
Iwu, C.G., Sibanda, L. and Makwara, T., 2025. African entrepreneurial ecosystem resource constraints: A COVID-19 perspective. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, p.23939575251361581.