Ghanaian Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Germany: Motivations and Contributions for Development

Abstract

This study investigates the contributions of Germany-based Ghanaian immigrant entrepreneurs to the socio-economic development of Germany and Ghana. This study also employs the ‘pull’ and ‘push’ theories to undertake an analysis of the motivating factors that drive these immigrants into entrepreneurship in Germany. This exploratory study adopts both quantitative and qualitative research methods to gather field-based data from 54 entrepreneurs in four different cities using a questionnaire and semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Among other roles, entrepreneurs contribute socially to the development of Germany and Ghana in activities such as charitable donations and offering training for prospective entrepreneurs. The economic contributions to both countries include activities such as paying taxes, receipt of remittances, export and import of goods. Overall, it appears that pull factors have a stronger impact on entrepreneurship than push factors do.