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

Poole, David L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 178699626X ISBN 13: 9781786996268

Publisher: Zed Books, 2022

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

<b>David Poole</b> holds a PhD in development studies from SOAS, University of London, and has previously been a guest lecturer at the University of London’s Institute of Education. He previously had a successful career as a marketing consultant, spending several years heading a team of volunteers providing support for small enterprises in Rwanda.

Edition details

• Publisher: Zed Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 178699626X
• ISBN 13: 9781786996268
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 252