Exploring the Everyday Experiences of African Migrant Entrepreneurs in Malmö, Sweden.

Abstract: Entrepreneurship is a common choice of occupation amongst migrants in Malmö. African migrant entrepreneur experiences however, are identified as homogenous to other immigrant groups. This study is based on the unique everyday experiences of African migrant entrepreneurs in Malmö recognising their networks, depths of embeddedness and their urban place-making. To this effect, this study focuses on the processes of establishing networks during the pre-migration stage as a means to migrating and settling in Malmö and their embeddedness in their ethnic communities to establish entrepreneurship. Further insight is provided into African migrant entrepreneurs’ socio-spatial navigations and realities. Social network theory and social capital probes into the social relations of African migrant entrepreneurs, examining the multidimensionality of relationships established. Transnational theory explores migrant entrepreneur relationships that are not bound by physical space but encourage entrepreneurship and maintain a connection to home. Embeddedness theory is implemented to analyse the extent ethnic affiliation can facilitate or limit the ambitions of African migrant entrepreneurs.  This study is qualitative in nature and used an ethnographic approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 7 African migrant entrepreneurs; 5 men and 2 women. Of the 5 men, 2 are Nigerian, 1 Ghanaian, 1 Kenyan and 1 Somali. The women are East African; 1 Ethiopian and 1 Kenyan. Accounts from the participant’s experiences revealed how African migrant entrepreneurs in Malmö network to aid their entrepreneurship. The study finds that most African migrant entrepreneurs operate within dense social networks where they receive social and economic support from their communities. However, there are African migrant entrepreneurs who are linked to broader social network outside their own communities that provide access to move beyond kin-based networks. Findings show African migrant entrepreneurs are constantly looking for opportunities to expand their entrepreneurship, diligently strategizing and utilising their embeddedness to circumnavigate opportunity barriers. This study concluded that African migrant entrepreneurs are key cultural players and contributors to the liveability of urban space. It illustrates the role of African migrant entrepreneurs in urban placemaking through the construction of places in their everyday lives. African migrant entrepreneur’s everyday lives and their experiences are a contributing voice to global discourse on migration and urban spatial practices.