2.3 Entrepreneurship and
development in Africa
Of equal importance as well as the first part of our work in
the whole process of understanding our research, is the idea of
entrepreneurship in an African context. Many attempts have been given to define
Entrepreneurship. However it should be seen in the present context as the
investment will of local businessmen to bring about a difference in the type of
provision that the populations are already used to. Playing strategic roles in
their respective fields, they are said to be at the origin of economic boom in
countries like India and China. Their presence on the continent has always been
felt as the origin of their actions is evolving alongside the various countries
histories. Generally, their impact is usually felt in fields where the
government cannot provide effective service to the entire needy population. As
such they have become a crucial partner in the development process of a nation.
In the perspective of specifying their role, Boettke (2007) states that:
«Where governments cannot address the issues
effectively through the public sector, individuals are effectively operating in
the private sector to define property rights, to innovate with technology, and
to pursue trading opportunities that potentially lift people out of
poverty» (Boettke 2007:3)
According to many economists point of view, Entrepreneurship
should be reconsidered strongly if African leaders want their respective states
to line up with the worldwide development machinery. George Ayitteh, one of the
continent high esteemed development economists for instance argues that fixing
Africa's state equally reposes on private investment. He makes it clear for all
that:
«Private investment is the way out of Africa's
economic miasma and grinding poverty. Africa needs investment in agriculture,
manufacturing, education, health care, telecommunications, and
infrastructure» (Ayittey 2007:158).
Although many would agree that «Entrepreneurship is a
catalyst for economic growth and progress» (Joshua and Russell 2008:247)
it would be worth noting that one of the essential determinant for this
investment which is economic freedom rarely figures on the African investment
agenda. Back to the field of education, it is worth noting the overwhelming
presence of entrepreneurs who out of their personal financial resources set up
and operate schools especially where the demands for education is extremely
high. Rather than waiting for international aid which paradoxically has shown
its limits in the development process of Africa (Easterly 2006), this set of
investors generally closed enough to their communities participate in their own
way to the achievement of one of the MDG's goal: Universal Primary Education.
However their investments and actions are sometimes met with obstacles from the
government in which they act. These obstacles range from restrictions, severe
regulations, non access to big scale loans, licensing procedure etc...All these
factors influence in a long run the possibilities of expanding the investments.
In fact:
«Entrepreneurship operates in an environment greatly
influenced by government policy. In countries where governments are dominant in
every sphere of activity, whether through parastatal enterprises, through
licensing controls, or through obliging farmers to sell at prices set by
statutory marketing boards, the possibilities for gaining entrepreneurial
experience are correspondingly reduced» (Elkan 1988:177)
Such prevailing environment which ironically is very common in
almost all African states, do favour effective investment and thus contribute
to shatter to dream of the majority of African entrepreneurs as they fill
concerned with the development at all levels of their countries and
continent.
Nonetheless, our case study of Kibera in Kenya have given us
the opportunity to ponder a little bit on one association grouping educational
entrepreneurs in that part of the continent. The following part briefly
discusses their actions for the development of education in Kenya.
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