Hubs in Africa; The Entrepreneur Dilemma of Choosing What Program to Join and Which One Not To

Entrepreneurship across Africa continues to grow, largely powered by Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) such as accelerators, incubators, and venture studios as well as other actors. These ESOs have become the crucibles within which raw entrepreneurial ideas are forged into market-ready products and services. This model, inspired by the Silicon Valley ecosystem, has undeniably propelled many African entrepreneurs from the ideation phase to market entry. However, there's still a big question about how well these programs help businesses grow bigger.

A phenomenon often observed in the African entrepreneurial landscape is the migration of entrepreneurs from one hub to another. This was pointed out in a LinkedIn post I read, which asked a very smart question: why do they keep moving? The answer isn't simple, but from what I've seen, it often happens in places where the startup scene is still growing. Both the entrepreneurs and the support programs are trying to figure things out. If a program can't provide what entrepreneurs need most—like access to the market, money, or good press—they'll look for another program that can.

So, what makes some of these programs better than others? From my years of working with startups in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, I've noticed a few key things but one particularly is paramount;

Both entrepreneurs and ESOs are in a phase of exploration, trying to navigate the complexities of building scalable businesses. When a hub fails to deliver on key expectations such as market access, capital, and public relations support, entrepreneurs feel compelled to seek these resources elsewhere, thus leading to the observed hopping.

However, amidst this, there are examples of excellence that stand out. Through my observations and interactions, I've identified three critical factors that distinguish exceptional entrepreneurship programs in Africa:

1. Entrepreneurial Leadership: The most impactful programs are those spearheaded by individuals who have themselves been entrepreneurs or possess an entrepreneurial mindset. This ensures the program is grounded in practicality, offering a hands-on approach that resonates with the participants. It's about crafting a journey that the program designers have walked, providing not just theoretical insights but lived experiences and lessons.
2. Market Access Through Strategic Relationships: Unlike the traditional focus on investor connections alone, top-tier programs emphasise building a network of industry connections. This approach, reminiscent of YCombinator's philosophy, aims to open doors to potential clients, partners, and even mentors beyond the financial sphere, offering a holistic support system for growing startups.
3. Mentorship Rooted in Experience: The quality and commitment of mentors are pivotal. Exceptional programs are characterised by mentors who are not just participants but are invested in the success of the companies. These mentors bring to the table a wealth of experience, drawn from their entrepreneurial journeys or professional expertise directly relevant to the challenges faced by the startups.
4. Technical Support Over Workshops: Particularly for tech startups, the transition from a working prototype (MVP) to a product that is ready for market adoption is a critical phase. Programs that prioritise technical assistance, helping entrepreneurs refine their technology for better market fit, offer invaluable support that workshops and seminars alone cannot provide.

Africa is a dynamic market, the more time entrepreneurs spend in the classrooms (workshops) the lesser their chances of success- programs need to offer the opportunity of product refinement for quick market adaptations.

The landscape of entrepreneurship in Africa is complex and varied. For entrepreneurs standing at a crossroads, deciding which program to embrace can shape their journey significantly. The hallmark of a great program lies not just in its ability to incubate ideas, but in its capacity to catalyse sustainable growth, market penetration, and scalability. As the ecosystem matures, the hope is for more programs to embody these qualities, creating a more vibrant, resilient, and innovative entrepreneurial landscape across Africa.