Interview on the Entrepreneurship Podcast Network: Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries

“If you think entrepreneurship is hard, try doing it in a developing country.”

I was interviewed by host Eric Dye on the Entrepreneurship Podcast Network (EPN), and we had a direct, practical conversation about what it really takes to build businesses in developing and emerging economies.

This episode is for you if you’re:

• an entrepreneur working in an emerging market

• part of an NGO, donor, or entrepreneurship support program

• an investor or corporate partner exploring impact or inclusive growth

• someone considering a career that blends business and development

My  interview on the Entrepreneurship Podcast Network (EPN)

What we covered

1) You have an interesting background in both business and aid work. Tell us more about what you do.

We talked about:

• business fundamentals (pricing, operations, cash flow, planning)

• development realities (constraints, infrastructure, fragile markets)

• practical enterprise support that improves outcomes—not just participation metrics

My work sits in that overlap: helping entrepreneurs build stronger enterprises in contexts where running a business is often harder, riskier, and more personal than most outsiders realize.

2) So why do you focus on entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies?

Because entrepreneurship in these settings is not a trendy career choice—it’s often the backbone of survival and local economic stability. In many countries, micro and small enterprises:

• create the majority of jobs

• support household income directly

• keep local markets functioning

• provide resilience during shocks (economic, climate, conflict)

When these enterprises fail, families feel it immediately. When they succeed, the effects ripple outward: school fees get paid, nutrition improves, employment grows, and communities become more stable.

3) Why is entrepreneurship so difficult in low-income countries?

Entrepreneurship is hard everywhere. But in low-income environments there are additional obstacles.

• unreliable power and infrastructure

• limited access to affordable capital

• weak or inconsistent supply chains

• high transport and logistics costs

• lack of formal business training (especially in financial management)

• low customer purchasing power

• high exposure to personal risk (health, security, family dependency)

4) You’ve coined the term “aidtrepreneurship.” What is that?

It refers to the use of development aid to encourage and support entrepreneurship as a means of economic growth in developing countries. It can take many forms, such as training, mentorship, donations, business incubation, loans, grants, or any other assistance. It can also mean any form of assistance from individuals, companies, governments, foundations, NGOs, universities, groups, or organizations.

The problem is that there isn’t enough of it, and much of what’s being done is ineffective.

5) How can small business owners in developing countries be helped?

High-impact support often includes:

• practical, in-context business skills

• ongoing coaching and mentorship (not one-time workshops)

• support for cash flow management and recordkeeping

• better access to markets

• appropriately structured financing

• operational guidance

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