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6.0 The broader context: Gender Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa, 2007

Written by: World Economic Forum

Article Overview: Although the focus on formal sector entrepreneurs sheds light on a particular, if small, facet of entrepreneurial activity, it is important to bear in mind both the wider context in which such activity occurs in Africa and the limitations of available data in interpreting these results.

6.0 The broader context: Gender Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa, 2007

Although the focus on formal sector entrepreneurs
sheds light on a particular, if small, facet of entrepreneurial
activity, it is important to bear in mind both the
wider context in which such activity occurs in Africa
and the limitations of available data in interpreting these
results.

First, much economic activity in Africa takes
place in the informal sector, which is poorly captured in
available data and statistics.

Second, data on the legal
status of men and women, on gender differences in
property rights—for example, with respect to land ownership—
or rights relating to marriage and inheritance,
which are highly relevant for understanding how the
business climate affects men and women differently,
are largely unavailable and require in-depth and country-specific analysis that is beyond the scope of this
chapter.

Third, Enterprise Surveys have important limitations
for the analysis of female entrepreneurship in
terms of coverage, sample size, and information collected.
These issues will be addressed in turn.

Related Articles
  1.0 Overview: Gender Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa, 2007
  2.0 Gender in African economies: Gender Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa, 2007
  SME's - protectionism does it help?
  18.0 Conclusion: Entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in Africa
  7.0 Conclusions: Gender Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness in Africa 2007

Article Tags: Africa, informal sector, property rights, wider context



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