Entrepreneurs and SMEs in Rwanda: The Model Pupil Paradox (Politics and Development in Contemporary Africa) - Hardcover

David L. Poole

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1786996251 ISBN 13: 9781786996251

Publisher: Zed Books, 2021

Synopsis

Entrepreneurs and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have become the darlings of neoliberal development thinking, with the received wisdom being that such enterprises hold the key to the economic transformation of low-income countries. This thinking has profoundly influenced development policy in Rwanda, but has singularly failed to deliver the much anticipated emergence of a new class of entrepreneurs and a vibrant SME sector.

This book deconstructs the myths around entrepreneurship and SMEs, and reveals how neoliberal approaches towards microcredit and related programmes have failed to address the economic challenges facing countries like Rwanda. Drawing on his study of successful and aspiring entrepreneurs, Poole identifies the factors associated with successful entrepreneurship. He uncovers the unintended consequences of the entrepreneurship and SME development prescription, and offers key policy insights which have implications for Rwanda and beyond.

About this title

About the Author

David Poole holds a PhD from SOAS, University of London, and an MBA from Imperial College Business School. He had a successful career as a marketing consultant and entrepreneur. The experience of heading a team of volunteers providing support to businesses in Rwanda sparked his interest in the country's efforts to catalyse economic development through entrepreneurship and SME sector development.

Edition details

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1786996251
• ISBN 13: 9781786996251
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256