Return migration and entrepreneurship in Ghana and Cote d'lvoire: the role of capital transfers

Richard Black, Adriana Castaldo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

40 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between international migration and entrepreneurship, drawing on data on around 300 return migrants to two West African states, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. The paper reviews existing evidence on the role of entrepreneurship and small firm formation in promoting development in Sub-Saharan Africa, before setting out a model of factors that influence whether migrants contribute to entrepreneurial activity by registering a business after their return. Factors tested for their association with entrepreneurship include a range of individual characteristics, duration of stay and reasons for return, and the acquisition of financial, human and social capital while abroad. The analysis suggests that work experience abroad is the most significant predictor of entrepreneurial activity among the return migrants interviewed, although savings accumulated while abroad, reasons for return and the frequency of visits home while abroad are also significant factors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)44-58
Number of pages15
JournalTijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie
Volume100
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2009

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