Some socio-cultural factors retarding entrepreneurial activity in sub-Saharan Africa

Some African governments within the sub-Saharan region have embarked on entrepreneurship development programs aimed, essentially, at preparing existing as well as prospective entrepreneurs to acquire the requisite management skills and know-how to be more effective and effeicient. Unfortunately, these programs seem to negate one important element - culture - which entrepreneurial research has found to have had considerable impact on entrepreneurial behavior. Analysis is presented of some of the social and cultural issues that retard such entrepreneurial activities: 1. power distance, 2. collectivism, and 3. Confucian dynamism. It looks apparent that the countries of sub-Saharan Africa need a political system that will be more pragmatic and incentive-based to create an environment that will redress ethnic and economic inequalities, as well as eliminate the corruption that plagues the sub-region.