Un’impresa non facile – Not an easy entreprise
Strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa
Un’impresa non facile explores the dynamics of social impact entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa, analyzing the characteristics of the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector across the continent. Using a multidisciplinary perspective and a social action-research methodology, this publication highlights the crucial role of international cooperation, the private sector, and the Third Sector in supporting the development of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. The title translates to “Not an easy enterprise – or journey”, emphasizing that supporting local entrepreneurship is never a straightforward or linear process but rather one filled with challenges and unexpected turns.
The analysis focuses on four key countries—Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique—and includes testimonies and case studies from entrepreneurs, institutions, and civil society. The authors underline how limited access to finance, infrastructural weaknesses, and regulatory barriers remain major challenges to business growth, while also showcasing successful strategies and models to overcome them.
Through contributions from experts, institutional representatives, and African entrepreneurs, the volume offers insights to strengthen support for social impact enterprises, encourage the development of international collaboration networks, and promote a more inclusive and participatory approach to economic cooperation between Africa and Italy.
New article!
From ideas to impact: Entrepreneurship at the core of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda
Extract: “It all starts with an idea. That turns into action, that can possibly lead to results. Thanks to entrepreneurship. In economics’ terms, entrepreneurship is “the process of starting and launching a business, including the willingness and ability to take on related risks”. It is the triggering engine that spurs innovative and commercial ventures, from local to global scale…”
Author: Dr Vincenzo Lorusso
DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, and EU Co-Chair, AU-EU Innovation Agenda Working Group.
Available in “Not an Easy Enterprise: Strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems in Sub-Saharan Africa”
Beyond the book: additional resources
To complement the chapters, the authors offer a selection of useful links to continue reading and exploration, providing sources, data, and references that expand on the topics covered in the book—from international cooperation policies to the role of the private sector, from digital innovation to social entrepreneurship, including direct experiences from countries such as Kenya, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.
