Analyzing Determinants’ Priorities of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for ICT Start-Ups in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Path Toward Sustainable Development

Jonghyun Lee and Jisong Kim ()
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Jonghyun Lee: Graduate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies, Kyung Hee University, Yongin 17104, Republic of Korea
Jisong Kim: Department of Economics, University of Suwon, Hwaseong 18323, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: Despite the growing global interest in African entrepreneurial ecosystems and increased attention from international organizations and governments, the research on the sustainability of Sub-Saharan African entrepreneurial ecosystems remains limited. This study aims to qualitatively examine the major determinants and priorities within the ICT start-up ecosystems of Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, where these ecosystems are expanding but still under-researched. Based on the prior research, questions were designed using a priori codes. A total of 15 participants were interviewed, including five stakeholders from the start-up ecosystems in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The results of the interviews were analyzed through a thematic analysis. While the Sub-Saharan African ICT start-up ecosystem is often viewed as a single, homogeneous entity, this study identified 10 sub-categories derived from the top-five parent categories in each country. This offers valuable insights into the ICT start-up ecosystems of Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. This research provides both academic and practical value by analyzing the unique prioritization of determinants within the ICT start-up ecosystems of Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, each recognized as a leading ecosystem in the region. This is particularly relevant in the context of various entrepreneurship programs expanding across Africa highlighting significant implications for increasing sustainable development cooperation and investment efforts across the continent.

Keywords: ICT start-ups; entrepreneurial ecosystem; sub-Saharan Africa; Nigeria; Kenya; South Africa; thematic analysis; sustainable development; economic sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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