A business framework for enterprise development and venture creation in Libreville, Gabon

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a business framework for enterprise development and venture creation in Libreville, Gabon. The question that guides this research is: How are hotels and restaurants created and developed in Libreville, Gabon? The level of poverty and the unemployment rate have pushed many people to become creative in finding a way to generate income. The resultant entrepreneurial activity is a key element in the potential economic growth of the country. The Gabonese Government took the initiative to promote SMEs by providing the necessary economic environment. However, from a financial perspective it appears that the majority of entrepreneurs are using their own capital to finance their business during the start-up and developing phases. The limited access to finance remains a major issue for entrepreneurs in both developed and developing countries. It is an ongoing challenge for them to acquire financial support from the available financial institutions. In order to make this study effective, a quantitative approach was followed. A selfadministered survey questionnaire was distributed to seventy owners and managers of hotels and restaurants. The findings show that the key elements which lead to the failure of SMMEs are; the limited access to finance to start up a new business, the lack of funds to maintain operating expenses during the start-up stage, the low return on investment and the mismanagement and poor understanding of the financial cycle of a start-up. Therefore this study proposes a business framework for venture creation and development so that entrepreneurs in Libreville will become educated in the correct procedures to successfully manage and grow their businesses, which will have a positive effect on the economy as more businesses become self-sustainable. SMMEs are regarded as an important means of addressing unemployment and poverty and boosting the economy of the country.