BRIEF: Market Access and Business Growth for African-Led Enterprises

Analyzing Opportunities, Barriers, and Strategies to Strengthen African-Led Enterprises in Competitive Markets

Our data collection efforts have provided a deeper understanding of the challenges, aspirations, and resource gaps faced by GABAWorks participants, offering critical insights to inform our approach moving forward. A remarkable 87.5% of participants expressed a strong desire for additional mentorship and business development resources, emphasizing the need for ongoing technical assistance and capacity-building support. Compliance with U.S. legal and regulatory requirements also emerged as a significant challenge, with 76.5% of participants indicating they need assistance navigating legal frameworks, certifications, and operational standards, while only 23.5% reported being fully compliant.

Market entry and partnership development present additional hurdles, as 82.4% of participants are actively seeking to establish partnerships and attract clients in the U.S., but only 17.6% currently have existing U.S. partnerships or client bases. These findings highlight the importance of strategic matchmaking and market entry support to bridge this gap.

Our data also revealed that most GABAWorks participants operate micro-enterprises, with 58.8% reporting 1-5 employees and 11.8% identifying as sole proprietors, while 23.5% of participants employ more than 10 workers, demonstrating the potential for these businesses to scale operations and create additional jobs with the right resources. However, 64.7% of participants rely on personal email accounts for business communications, underscoring the need for professionalization and branding support to enhance credibility and client trust.

When it comes to operational infrastructure, 70.6% of participants operate from dedicated office spaces, but 29.4% continue to work remotely or from home, indicating a need for shared workspace solutions and operational infrastructure support to facilitate business expansion.

Perhaps the most pressing challenge is financial stability and access to capital—94.1% of participants reported struggling with finances or needing funding opportunities, while only 5.9% have strong financial records, cash flow, and funding sources. This highlights a persistent gap in capital access and reinforces the need for capital readiness training and investment facilitation.

These insights not only underscore the complex and multifaceted challenges faced by African and Caribbean entrepreneurs but also highlight the transformative potential of GABAWorks in bridging critical gaps, fostering business growth, and driving sustainable economic impact. By identifying these pain points through data, we are refining and expanding our approach to provide targeted, high-impact solutions that align with the realities our participants face.

We are addressing these challenges through a multi-faceted strategy that combines technical assistance, mentorship, capital readiness, and market access support. For entrepreneurs seeking mentorship and business development, we are expanding our one-on-one mentorship programs, industry-specific training, and peer learning opportunities to ensure that participants have ongoing access to expert guidance and resources. To close the compliance gap, we are launching legal and regulatory workshops designed to demystify U.S. business requirements and ensure operational compliance.

Recognizing the significant demand for partnerships and U.S. market connections, we are building a market linkage and matchmaking platform that will facilitate strategic partnerships and client acquisition for African and Caribbean businesses. To address the lack of professional branding and operational infrastructure, we are introducing digital transformation support, professionalization resources, and workspace solutions that will empower entrepreneurs to present their businesses more effectively and operate with greater efficiency.

Perhaps most importantly, we are tackling the persistent challenge of financial instability and limited access to capital by implementing capital readiness training, connecting participants with alternative funding sources, and facilitating relationships with microfinance institutions, angel investors, and venture capital partners. Our approach ensures that GABAWorks participants are not only equipped to navigate financial challenges but are also positioned to leverage capital to fuel long-term growth and scalability.

The engagement and participation of our entrepreneurs in GABAWorks underscore the critical need for these interventions. Their willingness to invest time, effort, and trust into this process demonstrates the urgency and importance of creating systems that work for African and Caribbean communities. As we continue to refine and expand GABAWorks, we remain committed to building inclusive ecosystems, strengthening pathways to prosperity, and ensuring that African and Caribbean entrepreneurs have the resources they need to thrive. Their participation is not just a reflection of their dedication—it is a call to action for us to meet their commitment with impactful, data-driven solutions that create lasting change.