Capital social et gestion du risque dans les réseaux de l’entrepreneuriat immigré en Afrique centrale : le cas des Maliens au Congo-Brazzaville

Abstract

Based on ethnic entrepreneurship literature and a survey conducted in 2010, in Brazzaville, among 220 respondents among Malian immigrant entrepreneurs, this article looks at the extent to which the entrepreneurial performance of Malian immigrants, operating in Congo, via family SMEs do they proceed from social capital? This means a high degree of networking of ethnic resources according to Menzies,
Brenner and Filion (2003). Our hypothesis is that these entrepreneurs, operating in the Congo since the 1960s, form “a sustainablemiddleman minority” (Bonacich, 1973). The study elucidates the factors of success of this entrepreneurship in connection with the risk management via the social capital leading to a reduction of transaction costs. The impact of these entrepreneurs on the local development for the home Country and the host Country is evaluated; strategies for adapting to the risk of crowding out of the market are also revealed, because of the recent competition from the Chinese immigrants trading networks.