The African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index

The African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index (AEEI) is a research tool launched in 2024 to address the critical data gap in African entrepreneurship ecosystems. Developed through a collaboration between the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship at Stellenbosch University, the i4Policy Foundation, and Utrecht University, the AEEI harnesses big data to provide accurate information about the state of entrepreneurship across the continent. It evaluates 27 African countries based on seven key challenge areas: finance, market access, governance, support, culture, infrastructure, and human capital. The index aims to offer insights for policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to identify strengths and weaknesses in local ecosystems, ultimately driving data-driven solutions to improve entrepreneurial conditions. In its inaugural edition, Mauritius, South Africa, and Tunisia were identified as having the most promising entrepreneurial ecosystems. The AEEI is designed to be conducted annually, providing an evolving picture of Africa's entrepreneurial landscape and serving as a valuable tool for fostering economic growth and development across the continent.