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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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The Nile perch paradox: towards understanding economic success in a situation of economic disorganisation
| Panel |
12. African entrepreneurs and/in emerging markets: towards a situational understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour?
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| Paper ID | 145 |
| Author(s) |
Beuving, Joost
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | Worldwide export of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) from lake Victoria emerged during the late 1980s. It presents a striking case of economic success in Africa: the sector generates employment in the region and it contributes significantly to foreign cash earnings. The expansion of Nile perch exports occurred in the face of fluctuating catches and alongside the increasing significance of local catch controls and grading systems, as well as food safety standards on overseas export markets. Common models of fisheries development point out that fishermen, traders and fish producers can confront these challenges by engaging in strategic alliances aimed at economic growth. Yet recent fieldwork in Uganda suggests that the Nile perch commodity chain developed few signs of concentration and/or vertical integration, which seems to point at a situation of limited economic organisation. By presenting case material illustrating the actual economic decision-making and entrepreneurial careers of local actors, this paper hopes to better appreciate the paradox of the Nile perch export – economic success in a situation of economic ‘disorganisation’ – and hence contribute to the debate on extra-economic processes in emerging export markets in Africa. |
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