Africa-US-Asia Business Partnership Forum Unveils New Horizons in Agri-Entrepreneurship
The Africa-US-Asia Business Partnership Forum (the Forum) has emerged as a transformative and groundbreaking platform, fostering an innovative collaboration between South African, US, and Japanese academic experts and agri-entrepreneurs. This transregional partnership aims to redefine capacity strengthening for entrepreneurs and new collaborative business ventures by focusing on the shared developmental trajectories of Africa, US, and Asia, moving beyond the traditional North American and European frameworks. This partnership, funded through Partnerships for Innovative Research in Africa (PIRA), also brings diverse knowledge systems and approaches to knowledge creation and entrepreneurship, the type of partnership needed in to solve complex or “wicked” problems.
Innovative Approach to Learning and Collaboration
The project was inspired by "translative adaptive" literature, highlighting the parallel developmental paths of Africa and Asia. It leverages the concept of "translocal" learning, where iterative spaces empower individuals from diverse geographical and cultural contexts to exchange ideas and perspectives. This approach facilitated joint fieldwork in South Africa and Japan, enabling entrepreneurs and stakeholders to address sustainability challenges collaboratively.
Insights and Collective Learning
A significant achievement of the Forum has been the empirical validation of the "translocal" learning concept within the business management and entrepreneurship domains. The project showcased how South African and Japanese agri-entrepreneurs, despite their distinct socio-cultural backgrounds, converged on sustainability as a common concern. This collective learning process has paved the way for potential joint ventures aimed at tackling sustainability issues in their respective regions. Unexpectedly, the project revealed that despite initial differences, the entrepreneurs found common ground in their sustainability goals. This stemmed from continuous mutual learning and highlighted the project's capacity to bridge seemingly disparate business cultures and priorities.
Lessons in Transregional Partnerships
This collaboration, enriched by diverse expertise in fields like supply chain management, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, was crucial in driving the project forward. It underscored the importance of patience, respect, and openness in transregional collaborations, acknowledging the challenges posed by different time zones, work schedules, and responsibilities. These values have been instrumental in managing expectations, sharing responsibilities, and equitable fund distribution.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Partnership
With plans to extend the Forum's reach beyond the initial countries, discussions with the African Development Bank are underway to secure funding for the next phase. This expansion aims to broaden the impact and include more beneficiaries The Forum has set the stage for future sustainable business ventures that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
AAP’s Impact
Participants have lauded AAP for its role in supporting the partnership, and to its commitment to the transformative potential of innovative transcontinental partnerships in fostering sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
