Promoting Economic Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship

Abstract: This paper explores the strategic necessities for Africa’s economic progress and development. It does so by arguing a case for revisiting and possibly redefining Africa’s economic development strategy with a view to formulating an overarching strategy that is more inclusive, enduring, sustainable and capable of creating wealth and improving the living standards of Africans. The emergent strategy should necessarily be bottom-up to be able to deliver an integrated  approach to strengthening the continent’s economy based on a combination of existing and hybrid models. It is premised on the fact that since the majority of people in Africa live in rural areas, dependent on agriculture and other rural economic activities, it is important that economic planning must take a bearing from within these considerations. The central thrust is that economic development thinking and approach should be more market/people orientated than ideologically/politically driven. African nations will attain accelerated and sustainable economic gains and growth if proper foundations are laid; based on grassroots economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.