The Perceived Success Factors and Problems of Small Business Owners in Africa

Approximately 600 micro and small business owners in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria were surveyed to better understand their perceived success factors and ongoing problems. According to the entrepreneurs, hard work, good management skills and good customer service are the most important ingredients for success. Fifteen of the 17 success items could be broken into four factors. The factor for controllable non-managerial items was seen as the most important factor governing success for entrepreneurs from all three countries. The most significant problems as reported by entrepreneurs were a weak economy and unreliable employees. A factor analysis of the problems revealed significant differences among the three countries. Ghanaian entrepreneurs were less concerned about their lack of training and locational issues and more concerned about their lack of capital. Compared to Ghanaian and Kenyan entrepreneurs, Nigerians had greater concern with the factor related to safety, location and employees.