Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.51680/ev.35.2.10
Intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship for intra-African trade and economic development: Towards a borderless Africa
Mazanai Musara
orcid.org/0000-0002-2801-3458
; University of Mpumalanga, School of Development Studies, Mbombela, South Africa
Andrew Maredza
orcid.org/0000-0002-4879-8766
; University of Mpumalanga, School of Development Studies, Mbombela, South Africa
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to conceptualize intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship and provide evidence of its impact on intra-African trade and economic development. Immigrant entrepreneurship is often regarded as a key driver of international trade and economic development around the world; yet very little is known about intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship and its role in intra-African trade and economic development in Africa.
Methodology: This paper applied a systematic review of literature methodology to provide insights into the role of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship on trade and economic development of both host and home countries. Recommendations on how intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship can be used to promote intra-African trade and economic development are reviewed.
Results: Policy guidelines that may increase the positive impact of immigrant entrepreneurs within the context of intra-African trade include immigration policies that attract high impact entrepreneurs, non-discriminatory support for high impact immigrant entrepreneurs as well as policies to strengthen the role of free trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Conclusion: We conclude that African regional integration to promote intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship development is a conduit for Africa’s long-term and sustainable economic development. Evidence of the positive impact of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship on intra-African trade and economic development is scant. At the same time, the notions of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship are not well documented in the literature. This paper provides arguments for the promotion of intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship as a tool to increase intra-African trade and economic development.
Keywords
economic development; intra-African trade; intra-Africa immigrant entrepreneurship
Hrčak ID:
287708
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2022.
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