Digital transformation in West Africa: a two country, two-sector analysis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore opportunities and challenges of accelerating digital entrepreneurship development in key economic growth sectors in West Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses case illustrations from the media and agriculture sectors to highlight some of the opportunities and challenges that have shaped current business practices in this digital space in West Africa.

Findings

Technological infrastructure featured as one of the main challenges for fostering success in the media-tech cases and perhaps linked to the low internet penetration rates. Likewise, infrastructure proved to be a challenge in the agri-tech sector cases.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance of partnerships within the entrepreneurship ecosystems as a critical condition for ensuring positive benefits for all stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem taken from the lens of West Africa.

Citation

Madichie, N.O., Bolat, E. and Taura, N. (2021), "Digital transformation in West Africa: a two country, two-sector analysis", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 15 No. 2, pp. 246-257. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-06-2020-0114