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Unlocking a Continent of Opportunity: Entrepreneurship and Digital Ecosystems for Value Creation in Africa

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  • Oluwasoye P. Mafimisebi
  • Adekunle I. Ogunsade

Abstract

National policies framework for entrepreneurship and digital ecosystems play a key role in setting local communities and nations for the creation and capture of value in the digital age. This article draws on entrepreneurial ecosystems and high-growth entrepreneurship theory to explore opportunities and the challenges of digital economy in Africa. We theorize that entrepreneurial and digital ecosystems framework is key to creating a robust digital economy as unregulated organic digital ecosystems may not sustain business growth, value creation and poverty alleviation. A more system approach to entrepreneurship is advocated to facilitate disparate resources to collaboratively drive and unlock a continent of opportunities through digital economic growth. The study offers practical policy insights and digital entrepreneurship ecosystem framework that will provide direction and catalytic foundation to accelerate digital entrepreneurial capacity and growth in Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Oluwasoye P. Mafimisebi & Adekunle I. Ogunsade, 2022. "Unlocking a Continent of Opportunity: Entrepreneurship and Digital Ecosystems for Value Creation in Africa," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 11(1), pages 11-22, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:fbbsrw:v:11:y:2022:i:1:p:11-22
    DOI: 10.1177/23197145211018172
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