Entrepreneurship ecosystems and innovation hubs have emerged as critical drivers of economic development in East Africa. Central African Republic (CAR), a landlocked country with significant natural resources, is less studied in this context. Understanding how these systems operate can inform policy aimed at fostering sustainable growth. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining semi-structured interviews with focus groups (qualitative) and administrative data analysis (quantitative). Data collection spans urban areas of CAR and includes government records to complement qualitative insights. Semi-structured interviews revealed high levels of community engagement in innovation hubs, particularly among youth. Analysis of administrative data showed a significant increase in venture capital investments over the past five years, indicating growing interest in entrepreneurial ventures. The study underscores the importance of local participation and government support for successful entrepreneurship ecosystems in CAR. Future research should focus on scaling up initiatives to broader regions and sectors. Policy makers are advised to prioritise capacity building programmes for entrepreneurs and enhance collaboration between public and private sectors to foster a robust innovation ecosystem. Entrepreneurship, Innovation Hubs, Central African Republic, Mixed Methods Study
Mandjukwa Djabalaka (Fri,) studied this question.