The politics of entrepreneurship – affirmative-action policies for indigenous entrepreneurs

Abstract

This article highlights that indigenous entrepreneurship is an integral part of balanced development, and that the participation of the indigenous population in the local business community is a prerequisite for promoting economic growth and maintaining social and political stability. It examines the impact and effectiveness of affirmative-action policies and specialist programmes introduced by politicians to prompt the indigenous business community in three different countries, and the implication of such policies for enterprise developers and funding agencies in light of the increasing politicization of the enterprise development process.