African governments, together with other developing nations, have a strong tendency to lean towards protectionism, and yet does it achieve anything? This is often perceived to be a form of xenophobia in the African context.
Entrepreneurs thrive in a market economy where the competitiveness of the market stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship. Clusters and countries become more competitive the more competition they have. Prof Michael Porter of Harvard is a strong proponent of competition.
While xenophobia is alive and very well in many parts of Africa, I believe it is first and foremost a poor misguided attempt, to try and and correct for a lack of entrepreneurial spirit which is not always at the economic forefront in developing countries.
I would simply love to see developing countries learning from other countries' experience and stop wasting valuable time and financial resources chasing a strategy that is most unlikely to succeed.
Rob Smorfitt
To learn more about this author, visit Rob Smorfitt's Website.
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Rob Smorfitt
(Visit Rob's Website)
Based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Married with 3 children (22, 21 and 14).
Have an MBA and am currently doing a PhD
in entrepreneurial success. I have been
self employed since 1982. I have started
26 and bought 5 businesses since then.
Most were sold again and a few were shut
down because of a lack of profitability.
Many were run by staff or family while I
worked in full time employment in my
bigger businesses. 6 books written in SME
and Project Management educational field.
Written articles for various magazines,
newspapers and websites.
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