How to start African Informal entrepreneurial revolution?

Abstract

The achievement of business sustainability is dependent on the interacting components of the entrepreneurship ecosystem (EE) and institutions that support or challenge the business environment. Given the importance of the informal economy in developing economies, we need to rethink how to start an informal entrepreneurial revolution. This article examines the nexus of the informal entrepreneurial ecosystem, from the perspective of ecological resilience. Specifically, the article analyzes the significant differences between the formal sector, the informal sector, frugal innovations, and the supportive ecosystem resilience that produces unparalleled enthusiasm. Conceptually, this article developed propositions and a model of Productive and Unproductive EE explaining the business environment and the interacting predictors from the African regional context. Arguably, as entrepreneurial education and skills increases, there is more likelihood of the creation of formal ventures and growth-oriented micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These have implications for economic growth and–in the case of African economies–moving the informal to formal economy.