About us

Enabling data-driven dialogues for entrepreneurship-led sustainable development across Africa.

The Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE) is a flagship research initiative based at the School of Public Leadership within Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Co-inspired by the mission of the Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies (AGGP) to develop responsible entrepreneurs for the common good, AGCAE aligns with Stellenbosch University’s vision of impactful, research-led transformation. We advance our work through three core focus areas: Research, Ecosystem Building, and our Pan-African Data Hub of hubs; all aimed at supporting productive entrepreneurship, job creation, and long-term social change

Our Mission

The AGCAE creates, integrates and diffuses knowledge to improve data-and-dialogue driven entrepreneurial ecosystem development in Africa in order to increase well-being of communities with entrepreneurship.

Our Vision

The AGCAE aims to enable entrepreneurship-led sustainable development in Africa with a data-and-dialogue driven entrepreneurial ecosystem approach.

Strategic Priorities

Create and integrate entrepreneurial ecosystem data of African countries and regions.
Analyse and interpret entrepreneurial ecosystem data of African countries and regions.
Develop and communicate scientifically rigorous and societally relevant entrepreneurial ecosystem research.
Create a platform for stakeholders that provide and use entrepreneurial ecosystem data and knowledge in Africa (including academics, governments, entrepreneurship service providers, entrepreneurship associations, philanthropies, NGOs, venture capitalists).
Contribute to the development of entrepreneurship and economic development scholarship in Africa.

Meet our team
Get to know the innovative minds driving our success. Each member brings unique expertise and passion to our collective vision.

Alex Kibet

Postdoctoral researcher

Allan Kimaina

PhD Candidate | Kenya

Anthony Farr

Group CEO of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies and Board Member

Clifford Nxomani

Board Member

Dimitrios Tsagdis

Senior Professor of International Business and Senior Research Fellow

Erik Stam

Extraordinary Professor of Economics and Senior Research Fellow

Frank Mwita

Masters Candidate | Tanzania

Isaac Khambule

AGGPSA Research Specialist and Partner

Josh Adler

PhD Candidate | South Africa

Karen E. Wilson

Board Member

Phumlani Nkontwana

Founding Academic Director and Stellenbosch University Faculty

Rafiki Murenzi

PhD Candidate | Rwanda

Reza Daniels

Economic & Management Sciences (EMS) Dean and Board Member

Robiel Hailie

PhD Candidate | Ethiopia

Simone Carter

PhD Candidate | South Africa

Tyra Cole

Office Manager and Programme Administrator

Zimkhitha Peter

CEO of AGGP South Africa and Board Member

Zwelinzima Ndevu

School of Public Leadership Director and Chairperson of the Board

Our Values
The Team operates and is inspired by the following values that we share with our sister entities at Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropies

Long-term commitment

We are committed to making a long-term, sustainable contribution to society.

Responsible Stewards

We are responsible stewards of our mission and of resources.

Diversity and Inclusion

We acknowledge and celebrate the human diversity we represent, the histories that have shaped us and actively maintain an inclusive culture. Our interactions are enhanced by empathy and mutual respect.

Excellence

We focus on the things that matter most and strive to do them exceptionally well.

Spirit of Humility and Significance

We are ambitious for our work and yet personally humble – complimenting a spirit of significance with humility.