Skip to main content

Introduction: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Capacities as Facilitators of Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Informal Economy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Informal Economy in Sub–Saharan Africa

Abstract

Existing works on entrepreneurship and innovation have explained a generic view of the subject within the informal economy. For example, it is noticeable that the drive for employment and the rising population drives many persons into Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) entrepreneurship. However, there remains a vast knowledge gap concerning institutionalization, motivational factors, and harnessing the innovative potentials of Africa's informal sector entrepreneurs and their supporting role in achieving a more sustainable African region. This book on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Informal Economy in Sub–Saharan Africa: A Sustainable Development Agenda focused on identifying patterns of domesticating entrepreneurship theories, harnessing papers that project novel insights about how innovation can occur and be managed for sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. The book contains sixteen chapters that first capture the economic and social motivations that capture different forms and levels of impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem on entrepreneurship and innovation in SSA. Second, a demystification of the varying relationships, consequences, and implications derivable from a well-knitted understanding of the interactions between innovation and entrepreneurship in SSA. This book project will benefit researchers, academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs in large firms and SMEs, and students interested in understanding the interconnected roles of innovation and entrepreneurship in improving Africa's informal economy and achieving sustainable development across the region's informal markets.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Acheampong, G., Braimah, M., Quaye, D. M., & Buame, S. K. (2014). Impact of demographic factors on technological orientations of BOP entrepreneurs in Ghana. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 11(6), 1450037. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219877014500370

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aidis, R., Estrin, S., & Mickiewicz, T. (2008). Institutions and entrepreneurship development in Russia: A comparative perspective. Journal of Business Venturing, 23(6), 656–672.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akinboade, O. A. (2005). A review of women, poverty and informal trade issues in East and Southern Africa. International Social Science Journal, 57(184), 255–275. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2451.2005.549.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aparicio, S., Urbano, D., & Audretsch, D. (2016). Institutional factors, opportunity entrepreneurship and economic growth: Panel data evidence. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 102, 45–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damilola, O., Deborah, I., Oyedele, O. & Kehinde, A. A. (2020). Global pandemic and business performance: Impacts and responses. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147–4478)9(6), 01–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donbesuur, F., Ampong, G. O. A., Owusu-Yirenkyi, D., & Chu, I. (2020). Technological innovation, organizational innovation and international performance of SMEs: The moderating role of domestic institutional environment. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 161, 120252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fuentelsaz, L., González, C., & Maicas, J. P. (2019). Formal institutions and opportunity entrepreneurship. The contingent role of informal institutions. BRQ Business Research Quarterly22(1), 5–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurtoo, A. (2009). Policy support for informal sector entrepreneurship: Micro-enterprises in India. Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, 14(02), 181–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guzmán, J., & Javier Santos, F. (2001). The booster function and the entrepreneurial quality: An application to the province of Seville. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 13(3), 211–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrington, M., & Coduras, A. (2019). The national entrepreneurship framework conditions in sub-Saharan Africa: A comparative study of GEM data/National Expert Surveys for South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 60, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-019-0183-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinson, R. E., Madichie, N., Adeola, O., Bawole, J., Adisa, I., & Asamoah, K. (2022). New Public Management in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ibidunni, A. S., Mozie, C. and Ayeni, A. W. (2020). Entrepreneurial characteristics among university students: Insights for understanding entrepreneurial intentions among youths in an emerging economy. Education+Training, 63(1), 71–84. DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-09-2019-0204

  • Ibidunni, A. S., Ogundana, O. M., & Okonkwo, A. (2021). Entrepreneurial competencies and the performance of informal SMEs: The contingent role of business environment. Journal of African Business. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228916.2021.1874784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibidunni, A. S., Olokundun, M. A., Oke, A. O., & Nwaomonoh, I. C. (2017). Enhancing the performance of agro-based SMEs: The role of entrepreneurship competencies. Covenant Journal of Entrepreneurship, 1(1), 44–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ibidunni, A. S. (2022). Editorial: Sustainable business models for the growth of indigenous businesses in africa. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Sustainable Development, 18(5/6), 491–499. https://doi.org/10.1504/WREMSD.2022.126160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igwe, P. A., Odunukan, K., Rahman, M., Rugara, D. G., & Ochinanwata, C. (2020). How entrepreneurship ecosystem influences the development of frugal innovation and informal entrepreneurship? Thunderbird International Business Review. https://doi.org/10.1002/tie.22157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingenbleek, P. T. (2019). The endogenous african business: Why and how it is different, why it is emerging now and why it matters. Journal of African Business, 20(2), 195–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228916.2019.1583979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jevwegaga, H., Ade-adeniji, O., Ibidunni, A. S., Olokundun, M. A., Borishade, T. T., Falola, H. O., Obaoye, D., & Ogunniyi, A. (2018). Role of SMEs’ entrepreneurial activities and industrial clustering on SMEs’ performance. Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, 24(1), 1–7. 1528–2686–24–1–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, X., Wang, X., Ren, J., & Xie, Z. (2023). Digital economy, agglomeration, and entrepreneurship in Chinese cities. Managerial and Decision Economics, 44(1), 359–370. https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • López-Muñoz, J. F., Novejarque-Civera, J., & Pisá-Bó, M. (2023). Innovative entrepreneurial behavior in high-income European countries. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-06-2022-0546

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madichie, N. O., Gbadamosi, A., & Rwelamila, P. (2021). Entrepreneurship and the informal sector: Challenges and opportunities for African business development. Journal of African Business, 22(4), 441–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Madichie, N. O., Mpofu, K., & Kolo, J. (2017). Entrepreneurship development in Africa: Insights from Nigeria’s and Zimbabwe’s telecoms. In Entrepreneurship in Africa (pp. 172–208). Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • North, D. C. (1990). A transaction cost theory of politics. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 2(4), 355–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogundana, O. (2022). Obstacles facing women-owned enterprises: A case for Sub-Sahara African women. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Sustainable Development, 18(5–6), 529–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogundana, O., Simba, A., Dana, L. P., & Liguori, E. (2022). A growth model for understanding female-owned enterprises. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2022.2100296

  • Olokundun, M., Ogbari, M., Falola, H., & Ibidunni, A. S. (2022). Leveraging 5G network for digital innovation in small and medium enterprises: A conceptual review. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 11, 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-021-00181-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otache, I. (2017). Agripreneurship development: A strategy for revamping Nigeria’s economy from recession. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 8(4), 474–483. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-05-2017-0091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saka-Helmhout, A., Chappin, M., & Vermeulen, P. (2020). Multiple paths to firm innovation in sub-saharan africa: How informal institutions matter. Organization Studies, 41(11), 1551–1575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, S. K., & Gaur, S. S. (2018). Entrepreneurship and innovation management in emerging economies. Management Decision, 56(1), 2–5. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-11-2017-1131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urbano, D., Aparicio, S., & Audretsch, D. (2019). Twenty-five years of research on institutions, entrepreneurship, and economic growth: What has been learned? Small Business Economics, 53, 21–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waylen, G. (2014). Informal institutions, institutional change, and gender equality. Political Research Quarterly, 67(1), 212–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Ibidunni, A.S., Ogundana, O.M., Olokundun, M.A. (2024). Introduction: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Capacities as Facilitators of Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa’s Informal Economy. In: Ibidunni, A.S., Ogundana, O.M., Olokundun, M.A. (eds) Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Informal Economy in Sub–Saharan Africa. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46293-1_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-46293-1_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-46292-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-46293-1

  • eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics