We need to build entrepreneurship policies that WORK

On February 19, 2025, Belinda Baah, of Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) had the privilege of joining the ABSA x AGCAE Youth Entrepreneurship Dialogue in Johannesburg, a gathering designed to move beyond discussion and towards action. Hosted by ABSA, one of Africa’s largest banks, and the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE), an i4Policy partner, the event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem builders from across the continent.

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Baah was invited to join a panel as the voice of policy in the entrepreneurship space, highlighting the many processes i4Policy has supported in shaping inclusive entrepreneurship policies, as well as advocating for the need for participatory decision-making—because policies are only as effective as the voices included in shaping them.

“Entrepreneurship policy designed without the voices of entrepreneurs is just theory. Real impact happens when those building businesses co-create the solutions that shape their ecosystems”.

A Pan-African approach to entrepreneurship

Though the event took place in South Africa, the conversations reflected a Pan-African vision—recognising that Africa’s entrepreneurial challenges are shared, and so too must be the solutions. ABSA, with its presence in key markets such as South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya, showcased its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs across the continent. Priscilla Yeboah, an ABSA panellist, provided insight into some of the bank’s entrepreneurship initiatives, which supports access to finance and business development.

Turning talk into action

One of the most refreshing aspects of this dialogue was its focus on action—rather than dwelling on challenges that have been voiced time and again, the emphasis was on shaping solutions. Three “ideathons” were hosted, each structured around a core challenge that repeatedly surfaces in entrepreneurship discussions:

• Access to finance
• Access to markets
• policy 

“I naturally took part in the policy ideathon, where discussions were raw and real—what truly needs to be done to ensure policy reflects and incorporates the needs of the people it is meant to serve? Instead of just critiquing, we focused on solutions. A report detailing the outcomes of these ideathons will be shared soon.”

The day ended on an inspirational note, with South Africa’s 2024 Overall Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee, Sheldon Tatchell, Founder of the Legends Barber, sharing his journey of trials, tribulations, and triumph—a powerful reminder of why we do this work.

Our biggest takeaway? Policy needs to do better

Entrepreneurs across Africa benefit from discussions like these, but what they need most is action—better policy implementation and real support structures that translate ideas into impact. Messaging around the importance of effective policy must be stronger, and its impact must be shared more widely.

At i4Policy, we are committed to ensuring that policy making is not just an intellectual exercise but a process that actively engages those it seeks to serve. That means entrepreneurs must be at the table, not just as participants in discussions but as co-creators of the very policies that shape their futures.

Let’s move beyond talk. Let’s build policies that work.