Journal of African Business

Enterprise Development in Africa: New Narratives and Evidence

Background and Theme

In line with the 25th Annual Academy of African Business and Development (AABD) Conference theme — Reshaping Africa’s Sustainable Development through Digital Inclusion — this Special Issue invites submissions that interrogate, reframe, and enrich our understanding of enterprise development in Africa. The issue seeks to spotlight new narratives and fresh empirical evidence that reflect the evolving entrepreneurial ecosystems across the continent.

Africa is experiencing a profound shift in how enterprises are born, scaled, and sustained. From tech-enabled microenterprises in informal settlements to green startups addressing climate challenges, the continent is redefining its enterprise landscape amid digital disruption, demographic transitions, and pressing development needs. The AABD Conference recognizes that digital inclusion is more than just access — it is a catalyst for economic resilience, inclusive growth, and local innovation.

Despite the increasing scholarly and policy focus on African entrepreneurship, gaps remain in our knowledge of how enterprise development unfolds in diverse localities, sectors, and under varying institutional constraints. Research often generalizes African contexts or imports models without due attention to local specificities. There is a growing need for robust, context-aware research that not only critiques prevailing assumptions but also foregrounds African perspectives, lived experiences, and innovative responses to systemic challenges.

This Special Issue provides a platform to uncover how African enterprises are adapting to technological change, navigating institutional environments, shaping markets, and influencing development trajectories. We are particularly interested in interdisciplinary contributions that bridge theory and practice, and which highlight the complex, pluralistic, and adaptive nature of enterprise in Africa today.

Scope and Topics

We welcome high-quality theoretical, empirical, conceptual, and practice-oriented papers that explore the diverse dimensions of enterprise development in Africa, including but not limited to:

Entrepreneurship and Innovation

·       New enterprise models and hybrid ventures in African contexts

·       Digital inclusion and informal sector innovation

·       Financing strategies, venture scaling, and resilience

Information Systems and Digital Technologies

·       Adoption of enterprise technologies and platform strategies

·       Artificial intelligence and data use in small businesses

·       ICTs and digital transformation of African markets

Insurance and Risk

·       Enterprise exposure to systemic and operational risks

·       Role of insurance and micro-insurance in SME continuity

·       Innovative risk mitigation models in emerging markets

Human Resource and Organizational Management

·       Talent development and HR strategies for scaling firms

·       Informal HR practices and organizational learning

·       Leadership and management in culturally diverse settings

Marketing and Consumer Behavior

·       African market insights, segmentation, and localization

·       Digital marketing and platform-based engagement

·       Branding and reputation in domestic and global markets

Enterprise Ecosystems and Institutional Contexts

·       Role of hubs, accelerators, and incubators in enterprise support

·       Public policy, regulatory frameworks, and institutional gaps

·       Ecosystem mapping and cross-sector partnerships