Building Africa’s entrepreneurship policy on data: Rafiki Murenzi’s PhD Journey
Policy can unlock Africa’s entrepreneurial potential – but only if it is grounded in evidence. That’s the mission of doctoral candidate Rafiki Murenzi, who is bringing advanced data science and engineering into the heart of entrepreneurship policy at Stellenbosch University’s Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE).
‘We must help younger entrepreneurs brave enough to start a business’
Josh Adler, Chief Programs Officer at the African Leadership Academy, is currently pursuing a PhD at the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship. He wants to focus on improving the practice of youth entrepreneur support as it is more than a field of study to him – it’s his life’s work. After graduating with a […]
Prestigious win for SA-initiated global entrepreneurship research partnership
The Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE) at Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with the Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies (AGGP), Utrecht University, and the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) have won three awards at the 2025 GEN Compass Awards in Indianapolis in the USA. At a glittering gala dinner event on 3 June 2025, […]
We need to build entrepreneurship policies that WORK
On February 19, 2025, Belinda Baah, of Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) had the privilege of joining the ABSA x AGCAE Youth Entrepreneurship Dialogue in Johannesburg, a gathering designed to move beyond discussion and towards action. Hosted by ABSA, one of Africa’s largest banks, and the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE), an i4Policy […]
Companies and public entities can do more to boost entrepreneurs, study shows
Government is just one player that needs to step up — the private sector should also take up a role There is a mismatch between what private companies and public organisations can do in entrepreneurial spaces, and what they are actually doing. This is a key finding of a study released by Allan & Gill […]
Prof to focus on sustainable business growth in sub-Saharan Africa
Dimitrios Tsagdis has dedicated his career to understanding how businesses across the globe can operate sustainably. Now a chance meeting in Morocco has led to his appointment as Extraordinary Professor of International Business and Senior Research Fellow at the AGCAE, presenting him with the opportunity to contribute to this discussion in sub-Saharan Africa. ___________________________________________________________________________ Dr […]
New Entrepreneurship Index to drive data-driven solutions for African entrepreneurs
Mauritius, South Africa and Tunisia have the most promising entrepreneurial ecosystems out of 27 countries on the continent, according to the inaugural African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index – a new data-driven research tool launched at the GEN GEC + Africa entrepreneurship congress this month. The African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index (AEEI), a new research tool that harnesses […]
African entrepreneurs face an uphill battle – says PhD student
Doctoral researcher Robiel Hailie is deeply concerned about the many challenges that entrepreneurs in Ethiopia face. He believes that finding solutions will not only help the economy but also address poverty and unemployment—and help entrepreneurs in other countries on the continent too. Robiel Hailie is a firm believer in finding African solutions for African problems. […]
Can a gaming intervention improve the entrepreneurial aspiration of African youth?
Data scientist and PhD student Allan Kimaina is passionate about the potential of machine learning and statistical analysis. In his current role at Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies (AGGP), he has immersed himself in a diverse array of pioneering projects. One endeavour he spearheads involves evaluating an online gaming platform to cultivate the entrepreneurial mindset […]
Data crises in entrepreneurial ecosystems: A call for a data hub of hubs in Africa
There is little data available to help policymakers and practitioners make sense of collective efforts Trying to understand African entrepreneurial ecosystems is a little like entering a vortex — a whirlpool of confusing and conflicting thinking where issues tend to slip away and disappear. Limited understanding of the vital challenge areas that constitute a healthy […]