Conclusion: The Beginning of African Business History

Abstract

Complexity of demography and markets characterise business in Africa. The sociocultural infusion of migrants forged the diverse African people engaged in emerging African business. A preoccupation with the political economy of colonial control and post-independence state capture and nepotism delayed market friendly business development. Africa entered the opportunity of the market only after destruction of assets through unwise economic policies and widespread nationalisation. This book offers an introduction into the emerging market-oriented enterprises across Africa, the general structure of business organisation and management and the early successes with globalisation of emerging market multinational corporations from Africa. The vast unexplored field of business in Africa is introduced with the explicit aim of introducing the long dureé of entrepreneurship from merchant origins through to modern capitalist enterprise in Africa. The call is now for systematic in-depth explorations into the new business environment of Africa.