Killing the Goose That Lays the Egg: A Discourse of Politics and Entrepreneurial Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between a society's political culture or system and the development of entrepreneurship. Specifically, the paper examines the issues of political risks and instability, how the prevailing political culture in Sub-Saharan Africa undermines indigenous entrepreneurship and enterprise development, how the politics of privatization, indigenization and prejudice against non-indigene entrepreneurs skews the development of entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, the consequences of excessive regulation, bribery and bureaucratic corruption on entrepreneurial development are examined. It is argued that the political system and culture of a nation affects its economic policies and business practices to the degree to which it promotes or discourages risks faced by investors.