Selected International Research Projects
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Sub-Saharan Africa Business Environment Report (SABER) (SABER 2011 Flyer and Report)
The Sub-Saharan Business Environment Report provides business information at a ready glance. It is part of a new project funded by the Center for International Business Research and Education (CIBER) and the Center for African Studies at the University of Florida, and the CIBER at the University of South Carolina. SABER aims to provide annual reports on the most current data from scholarly and news sources, and from the world's databases and specific country sources available at 'press time' to prepare its summaries, evaluations, and tables. An entire Appendix of statistical and qualitative indicators have been specially constructed for the publication.
SABER 2011 focuses on the twenty countries have the highest GDPs in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The findings show enhanced performance in political stability and economic growth in many countries spurred on by governments; the private sector; foreign direct investments (oil exploration and production, construction, and infrastructure); improved telecommunications and mobile technologies; increased agricultural outputs; development of stock markets; greater societal and gender equity in various social aspects; and so forth. African companies and entrepreneurs are making business deals that span the globe. SABER 2011 emphasizes African links, deals, and exports/imports in this era of globalization within Africa, and with Asia, Europe, and North America.
Within the four sub-regions (West Africa, Central Africa, East & Horn of Africa, and Southern Africa), SABER's statistical and qualitative data allow assessments of six major topics: (1) Political Stability; (2) Economic Growth and Trade; (3) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); (4) Business Climate, Financial Markets and Microfinance; (5) Infrastructure and Telecommunications; and (6) Health and Social Aspects. SABER evaluates both the positive and negative aspects of financial conditions and the current climate for doing business. The SABER 2011 report and Appendix C (additional Country References) can also be found on the SABER website.
"The Hopeful Continent": Economic Development and the Performance of Sub-Saharan Africa
Previously though of as a 'hopeless' case by some, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has experienced economic growth, technological progress, and communications leading to revisions about its prowess. Fro some, the rise of GDP, capacitation and ease of doing business, increase in exports, foreign direct investment (FDI), and societal indicators of well-being are moving SSA into the 'hopeful' stage and this is a sure sign of movement in the right direction. Some believe that the role of the state is crucial to the development of African countries. Others question both the free market view and the 'developmentalist' view for not taking sufficient account of historical experience. To what extent do these perspectives explain the economic development and performance of SSA
The Sub-Saharan Business Environment Report (SABER): 2011 Findings
The paper details the findings of the 2011 Sub-Saharan Business Environment Report. SABER 2011 focuses on the twenty countries that have the highest GDPs in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The findings show enhanced performance in political stability and economic growth in many countries spurred on by governments; the private sector; foreign direct investments (oil exploration and production, construction and infrastructure); improved telecommunications and mobile technologies; increased agricultural outputs and food production; development of financial markets; greater societal and gender equity in various social aspects; and so forth. African companies and entrepreneurs are making business deals that span the globe. Exports from and imports to SAA countries are critical with China, the U.S., U.K., E.U., and Indian being the main players. Within the four sub-regions of West Africa, Central Africa, East & HOrn of Africa, and Southern Africa, SABER's statistical and qualitative data allow assessments and evaluations of political stability, GDP growth, FDI, Trade Balance, and Business Climate. The paper assesses both the positive and negative aspects of financial conditions and the current climate for doing business.
The Sub-Saharan Business Environment Report: Business Information at a Ready Glance
SABER provides business environment information (major economic, business, political and social indicators and trends) at a ready glance at regional and country levels for the 20 largest Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies. SABER's model include: (1) business drivers at country level; (2) regional trade agreements and political entities; (3) FDI actors (USA, EU, China, India, etc.); and (4) databases and conventions from multilateral organizations (World Bank, IMF, FAO, WHO, WTO, UNCTAD, ILO, etc.). Country reports (based on a multitude of sources) focus on business trends in : (1) politics; (2) trade and imports/exports; (3) FDI; (4) infrastructure; (5) ease of doing business; and (6) social, gender, and health aspects. SABER's print and electronic versions aim to assist businesspeople, policy makers, researchers and students in understanding the SSA business environment.
New Generation of African Entrepreneurs
Dr. Anita Spring has been conducting a multi-country pilot
study of African entrepreneurs in the global market and their new
opportunities for enterprise development making four trips to
The new research moves beyond the study of small and large market traders and small- and medium-sized traditional African industries, to study the "new" African entrepreneurs who use updated and global methods of operation (i.e., financial transparency and accountability, information and communication systems) and form national and international associations and networks. Countries being studied are Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Women business globalists are being highlighted. The research considers formal sector, medium- and large-scale businesses and poses hypothesis to compare the new entrepreneurs with both global and traditional African business practices. The "new" global entrepreneurs work independently (owning individual corporations). They use internet communication, have financial transparency, and help negotiate their countries' trades and tariffs. Sectors they are involved in include finance, transport, tourism, telecommunications, construction, and housing. Three regional Enterprise Networks plus a pan-African Enterprise Network have been formed that assist them in capital generation, sourcing, market intelligence, and network building. The networks are apolitical, selective in membership, and use global business practices. Some members are involved in regional and international commerce that include trade with the US and Florida. Dr. Spring participated in the first Trade Mission between the State of Florida and South Africa in February 2001.
Women members, who comprise about 22% of the total, often manifest non-traditional gender roles forming companies dealing with IT, construction, tourism, and sector management. Preliminary findings suggest that while there are country differences, there is a tendency among all owners and managers to incorporate "universal" business practices such as contractual business services, using the merit system to hire and promote employees, and gender-positive attitudes. Friendship and school ties, (often made while in the US and UK augment and replace traditional kinship ties.
The West African Enterprise Network: Business Globalists, Interregional Trade and U.S. Interventions
This chapter discusses the "new generation" of African entrepreneurs who were organized into the West African Enterprise Network (WAEN) between 1993 and 2003, as a creation of a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other donors. The aim was to "strengthen private sector capacity to pursue regional and international business opportunities and to develop and implement a reform agenda targeting trade and investment." Unlike small-scale informal-sector vendors and other large formal sector African businesses, WAEN members were and continue to be business globalists. WAEN at its height included thirteen West African country networks. (Two other regional enterprise networks in East and Southern Africa, and a Pan-African network also were formed between 1998 and 2003.) This chapter discusses how data were collected from a sample of men and women network members in Ghana, Mali, and Senegal (interviews were also carried out with members from ten additional African countries in Eastern and Southern Africa). The analysis shows that WAEN members, as their counterparts in the networks in other regions, differ from many other formal-sector entrepreneurs within their own countries because they stress financial accountability and transparency, hold to good business ethics, hire employees outside of kinship affiliation, stress efficient business management and organization, and use the latest technology. They view themselves as players in the global economy and advocate for changing trade regulations. The findings show that WAEN aimed to be the engine of development through private sector expansion using global business methods and ethics.
The "New Generation of African Entrepreneurs": Networking to Change the Climate for Business
and Private Sector-Led Development
This paper discusses the entrepreneurial landscape in Africa and locates a new generation of African entrepreneurs and their business networks within it. Unlike others in that landscape (i.e., micro- or small-scale informal sector vendors, and traditional or multinational large-scale formal sector firms), the ‘new generation’ entrepreneurs are business globalists who organized a system of business enterprise networks consisting of national, regional, and pan-African organizations. The study analyses interview data from 57 men and women network members from 10 countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). Some defining characteristics of these entrepreneurs are interactive social and business relationships, use of modern management methods and information technology, trust among fellow members, transparent business practices, advocacy on behalf of the private sector, and commitment to increasing intra-African commerce. Their mission is to improve the climate for private sector business in Africa and to promote regional economic integration. They pursue cross-national commercial ventures, maintain official observer status at established regional economic organizations, sign memoranda of understanding with multilateral agencies, establish venture capital funds, and help to change government policies. The paper identifies characteristics of the ‘new generation’ entrepreneurs, evaluates goals and achievements of their networks, and concludes that despite limitations, these entrepreneurs and their organizations have created intra- and cross-national networks that strengthen private-sector-led economic growth in Africa.
Entrepreneurship in Africa: Traditional and Contemporary Paradigms
Excerpt from Introduction: Although the literature on entrepreneurship is vast, this book reviews those issues particularly relevant to entrepreneurship in Africa. Much of the early literature on entrepreneurship has roots in Europe and other Western cultures. Therefore, there is considerable interest in whether or not it has similar expressions in Africa. One of the major questions this book addresses is what form this subject has taken in Africa both at the present time and during its development. Are there some problems that are common to all entrepreneurs and others that are unique to various parts of Africa? This volume provides some answers to questions about individual entrepreneurs and the process of entrepreneurship within the context of Africa’s many social and economic environments.
African Women in the Entrepreneurial Landscape: Reconsidering the Formal and Informal Sectors
Informal and formal can be seen as “dual economies” of African countries. This article discusses the landscape of entrepreneurship in Africa, considering both sectors, and the range from small to large within each. It queries whether or not there can be movement within and between sectors, and if the so-called ‘rags to riches’ upward movement, as seen in developed countries, is possible in Africa. The landscape displays the range of women entrepreneurs from traditional micro enterprises, to large traders, to owners of medium- to large-scale formal-sector companies, and to emerging globalists (the “New Generation of African Entrepreneurs”). Paradigms compare and contrast these categories of entrepreneurs in terms of demographic variables; types of typical enterprises and firms; product sourcing and markets; start-up capital; networks and associations; and movement within and between the sectors. Findings show the informal-formal distinction is useful to disentangle the landscape, but movement between informal sector categories is not substantial because of the entry requirements of capital, education, business networks, etc. Similarly, within the formal sector of small to medium to large businesses, there is some movement but they too are limited by access to capital, networks, market niches, and product innovation. The NGAEs form an endpoint of the scale because their global business methods, networks, financial transparency, and business ethics propel them to success. Hence, while most African women are lower on the scale, there is a growing cadre of women at the top who provide role models of achievement within their countries.
South African Women in Business and Management: Transformation in Progress
This study identifies three conceptual and theoretical frameworks (free market, social engineering, and social transformation) within which the significance of gender and race to entrepreneurship and business are examined, particularly within the South African context. There are no comprehensive data sets on ownership patterns by gender and race for salaried workers or the millions of micro-and small-scale entrepreneurs in the 'second' (informal) economy during and after the apartheid era in South Africa, but most agree there has been little change. However, due to government compliance programs, such as Black Economic Empowerment in the 2000s, and good monitoring of its fulfillment, there have been advances for women and blacks in formal-sector private companies and state-owned enterprises, as illustrative data given here show. The conclusion is that the social transformation (political economy) approach best captures the complex interplay of these factors, especially on gender issues and entrepreneurship, where fundamental social change becomes a possibility.
Empowering Women in the African Entrepreneurial Landscape: Micro-Entrepreneurs to Business Globalists in the Formal and Informal Sectors
Gender and the Range of African Entrepreneurial Strategies: The "Typical" and the "New" Women Entrepreneurs
The "typical" women entrepreneurs are informal sector marketers involved in provisioning cities in food stuffs and clothing; the "new" generation of women entrepreneurs along with their male counterparts, are involved in provisioning countries in formal sector manufactured goods and services. The typical women entrepreneurs are traders who sell local agricultural products or items manufactured elsewhere, while the new generation have companies that manufacture goods and offer services. Traders are limited by their capital, education, lack of assistance above the household level, and scale of operation. New entreprenerus are educated, have capital and collateral, gain assistance through business capacitation programs, and formal medium- and large-scale establishments. I will be carrying out additional research to flesh out the paradigm more fully. However, at present the contrast may be marked by the following comparison. Nancy Horn summed up what she called the "ten tenets of women's entrepreneurship" applicable to the women traders in Zimbabwe whom she studied, but which seem applicable to traders in many parts of the continent.
The Business Environment of Chinese Migrants in Ghana and
other Sub-Saharan African countries
Dr. Anita Spring, Professor Emeritus, University of Florida
Mr. Yang Jiao, Doctoral candidate, University of Florida
For the Journal of African Business
2012
Abstract
From several thousand to over a hundred thousand Chinese men and women in Sub-Saharan Africa are living and working in each of the 47 countries in Sub-Saharan African. Some estimates are Mozambique: 25,000; Ghana: 75,000; and Zambia: 100,000. This is not a homogeneous population, but rather there are many categories of development aid and business people that include: (1) managers, technical experts, and employees on 2-5 year contracts for Chinese investment and development projects; (2) private-sector company owners and managers (small to medium to large formal-sector businesses retail, electronics, telecommunications, manufacturing, agroprocessing, etc.; (3) import-export wholesalers and traders at all levels in the formal and informal sectors; (4) farm and fisheries owners, managers, and farm/fishing workers; (5) contract laborers in construction and industry; (6) translators and Chinese language teachers; and (7) spouses, children, and other relatives.
In the new Chinese Diaspora, the wealth range is vast and includes rich entrepreneurs who own businesses at the top and small traders/low-level workers at the bottom. The paper explores their characteristics and migration narratives, as well as their African experiences and the prejudices they face as they make investments in infrastructure; set up businesses, farms, and clinics; and do business deals with African governments and local populations. There are some “rags to riches” stories of younger, educated Chinese men and women while some of the older generation aim to return to China for better medical care and an easier life after their African ventures in Ghana and elsewhere in Africa (Ethiopia, Mozambique, etc.). Network and traditional Chinese guanxi relationship of the actors influence the outcomes. Hypotheses and findings compare former Chinese Diasporic populations with this new more diverse and entrepreneurial migration waves as a result of China’s “Go Global” policies.
Please click on the following links to see other articles related to this research on Chinese entrepreneurial activities in Africa.
Chinese Development Aid and Agribusiness Entrepreneurs in Africa
China and Portuguese Speaking Africa: Business Approaches and Management Models in China, Mozambique and Cape Verde
NELSON SANTOS ANTONIÓ, VIRGINIA TRIGO, ANITA SPRING, CATHERINE DE LA ROBERTIE, JACKY HONG, and JOÃO FEIJÓ. EDIÇÕES SÍLABO, LDA, PEDRO MOTA, CAPA, 2011.
Chinese Development Aid and Agribusiness Entrepreneurs in
Africa
China and Chinese entrepreneurs view agribusiness and farming in Africa as an economic opportunity for a variety of economic and politically-motivated reasons. These include the following aspects: (1) in the early years China believed that agriculture was the way to aid their developing comrades; (2) in the current situation China believes South-South cooperation will help African food security problems; (3) at present, agricultural endeavors provide opportunities and profits for SOEs at central, provincial, and city government levels; (4) at present many privatesector entrepreneurs and company owners are in Africa to seek profits in local markets, by exporting commodities to China (sometimes with value-added in Africa), or by importing Chinese goods to Africa; and (5) some families and individuals have started farms and businesses to better themselves, since they perceive conditions to be more favorable in Africa than in China. For some in all these categories, doing agricultural activities in Africa has helped increase their wealth and has provided good opportunities.
China in Africa: African Views of Chinese Entrepreneurship
China’s exports to Africa have increased dramatically, as have its imports of African raw materials. With over 750,000 Chinese in Africa, the paper models the types and levels of Chinese entrepreneurs and gives descriptions of enterprises by sectors. Views of African leaders, who benefit from Chinese aid, infrastructure contracts, and business deals, are presented. African entrepreneurs see Chinese entrepreneurs as direct competitors, even as African consumers benefit from cheap Chinese merchandise. African textile and mining industries have been undermined, and African marketers and workers have lost jobs. Is the “smiling dragon” dangerous or a contributor to African development and well-being?
Women Farmers and Commercial Ventures
Commercialization and Women Farmers: Old Paradigms and New Themes
Agricultural Commercialization and Women Farmers in Kenya
Epilogue: Next Steps
Comerical Ventures for African Women Farmers: Was Boserup Wrong? (PDF)
The "Tree Against Hunger": Enset-Based Agricultural Systems in Ethiopia
Since Ethiopia's tragic drought and famine-prone decades of the 1970s and 1980s, researchers and policymakers have been particularly concerned with finding long-term, sustainable solutions to Ethiopia's food security needs. The majority of extension, development, and research on Ethiopian agriculture has focused upon the cereal-based systems of the highlands of northern, central, and eastern Ethiopia, and to a lesser extent upon the shifting cultivation economies of subtropical and lowland western Ethiopia. There has been considerably less research on Ethiopia's other major agricultural complex, the enset agricultural system of the highlands of southern Ethiopia. (Also see project website.)
St. Lucia (PDF)
Participatory Rural Appraisal training and
fieldwork in St. Lucia.
Countrywide training of frontline extension workers. Project carried
out through the Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations with
funding by the European Union. 2000.
Dr. Anita Spring, Project director
Dr. Amy Sullivan
Mr. Paul Litow
Dr. James Barham
Ms. Margaret Joyner
Health Care and Rituals
A Gender Assessment of Health Parameters and Delivery Systems, Agricultural and Enterprise Development, and Women’s Participation in Eritrea
Excerpt from Executive Summary: USAID/Eritrea is preparing a new Integrated Strategic Plan (ISP) for Fiscal Years 2003 to 2008. The previous strategic plan was modified because of the border war with Ethiopia. Now, in Eritrea’s post-war situation, the needs include reconstructing infrastructure damaged during the war, assisting the population still displaced to integrate within a limited economy, demobilizing 200,000 soldiers, rebuilding the economy, and restoring social services. In addition, there is a need to complete the reforms started before the war in 1998 to promote economic and participatory development based on social justice and the rule of law. The USAID concept paper of July 12, 2002, notes that “gender equity is one such area. Although laws prohibit any limits on women’s participation in all facets of society and the economy, gender disparities continue to be widespread.”
The FY 2003-2008 strategy will include three dynamic scenarios that will characterize the operating environment as enabling, restrictive, and/or in crisis. The Mission’s three Strategic Objectives relate to the following: (1) improved primary health care (SO1); (2) economic growth for the rural sector (SO2); and (3) increased capacity and citizen participation for broad-based development (SO3). This report addresses the first two SOs, as well as part of SO3 (those aspects dealing with demobilization of women soldiers) (see Scope of Work, Annex G).
Health Care Systems in Northwest Zambia
Faith and Participation in Traditional Versus Cosmopolitan Medical Systems in Northwest Zambia
People in Northwest Zambia maintain their faith in the traditional medical system by utilising herbals, rituals, midwifery, and taboos. They also employ cosmopolitan medicine with its counterparts of pharmaceuticals, surgery, maternal-child health care, and preventive medicine. The patterns of separating or combining aspects of health care offered by these two systems are detailed in terms of belief systems and practical considerations. Utilization patterns of Christians and non-Christians differ. Christians subscribe to cosmopolitan medicine by religious edict, but commonly employ herbals and turn to minor-rituals in desperation. Non-Christians may employ only the traditional systems, but frequently combine both systems, and especially seek maternal-child health care services.
Enhancing Civil Society Organizations and Women’s Participation in Ethiopia: A Program Design for Civil Society and Women’s Empowerment
Excerpt from Executive Summary: Ethiopia ranks 169 out of 175 on the Human Development Index and has a GDP per capita of US$100. With a population of over 69 million, the life expectancy in Ethiopia is 45.7 years with the population is growing at 2.7%. The fertility rate and maternal mortality rates are both high. The HIV/AIDS rate is approximately 6.6% for the entire country with 55% of infected adults being women. Over a quarter of households are headed by women, the majority of whom (83%) and have undergone some method of female genital cutting/mutilation (FGC/M). Literacy and education rates are low at all levels, particularly for females, as gender-based violence limits female enrollment.
Women are given equality in the Constitution of 1994, but gender-based inequalities remain huge and women lack access to resources and participation at all levels. This impacts the lives of women tremendously - from rural women’s ability to obtain basic food security, to gender-based violence which leaves them susceptible to rape, abduction, forced marriage, and FGC, to lack of access to land, to lack of employment opportunities, and to lack of political participation Women are massively underrepresented in the government, few women know their rights and law enforcement is minimal.
ANITA SPRING and BOB GROELSEMA. FINAL REPORT TO USAID/ETHIOPIA AND USAID CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE, 6 AUGUST 2004.
Guidelines for Evaluating the Inclusion of Women and Gender in Development Projects
ANITA SPRING. IN FORUM VALUTAZIONE: SEMESTRALE A CURA DEL COMITATO INTERNAZIONALE PER LO SVILUPPO DEI POPOLI - CISP. VOLUME 5. M. VIEZZOLI (ED.), pp. 57-72, FRANCO ANGELI, TIPOMONZA, STAMPA, 1991.