Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025)
June 2025

Articles

Understanding the importance of home-country skills of African immigrant entrepreneurs in South Africa

Published 2025-06-30

  • Bernard Lama Ngota
    • ,
  • Elroy Eugene Smith
    • ,
  • Ayanda Pamella Deliwe

Bernard Lama Ngota
Nelson Mandela University

Elroy Eugene Smith
Nelson Mandela University

Ayanda Pamella Deliwe
Nelson Mandela University

Abstract

Objective: The article aims to understand and describe the impact of home-country skills on African immigrant entrepreneurial endeavours in a host country. Furthermore, the article investigates how home-country entrepreneurial skills affect immigrant entrepreneurial motivations, activities, and outcomes.

Research Design & Methods: Following an interpretivist research paradigm, we applied a qualitative research approach. We identified 12 African immigrant entrepreneurs through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with the participants. We then analysed the collected data using a content analysis.

Findings: We observed that African immigrant entrepreneurs who migrate with skills obtained through owning or being involved in a business, and apprenticeship in their home country, are much more prepared for entrepreneurship in their host country. Furthermore, the findings suggested that African immigrant entrepreneurs associated with a family business gain entrepreneurial skills and are more ready to start up a business venture in their host country.

Implications & Recommendations: The study identified a gap in the literature regarding the entrepreneurial skills and knowledge of African immigrant home-country residents in the host country context. The obtained results are useful for immigrant entrepreneurial practice, particularly for immigrants considering going international.

Contribution & Value Added: It is the first study in a developing country that investigates the significance of African immigrant home-country skills in motivating entrepreneurship in the host country.

Keywords

African immigrant entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial skills, home country, entrepreneurship, African business, South Africa

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Author Biography

Bernard Lama Ngota

Graduate of the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa at the Department of Business Management. He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Management (University of South Africa); Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management (Walter Sisulu University); Master of Commerce in Business Management (Walter Sisulu University); PhD student in Commerce (Business Management; Nelson Mandela University). His research interests include entrepreneurship and small business management, marketing and innovative development in marketing and technology. He has already published as an author or co-author of several articles in renowned journals (for instance SAJBM, IJAEE, IRMM).

Elroy Eugene Smith

Full Professor in the Department of Business Management at Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa. He obtained a PhD in Business Management from the ex-Vista University, now Nelson Mandela University. His research interests include Sustainability and Greening, Ethics and Corporate Citizenship/Social Responsibility, Strategic Management and Organisational Behaviour. He has published extensively using numerous national and internationally accredited peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings.

Ayanda Pamella Deliwe

The head of department and senior lecturer at the Nelson Mandela University, South Africa at the Department of Business Management. She holds a PhD in Commerce Leadership Studies from the University of KwaZulu Natal. Her research interests are in the field of social sciences in business studies including entrepreneurship and marketing. She has also published within the Education space on e-learning.

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