East African Business Week

Kampala, Uganda - Entrepreneurial activity is the key to growth and industrialisation in East Africa, according to nine out of 10 (90%) of the region top managers and business people.
The importance of entrepreneurship is revealed in a survey conducted by Regus, the world's largest provider of flexible workplaces.
Other factors that will accelerate the industrialisation of Africa are international development (43%) and greater flexibility in working practices (37%), according to the survey results.
The research was part of activities to mark the industrialisation Day last week.
Joanne Bushell, Vice-President for Africa & the Middle-East at Regus, commented: "As we celebrate Africa Industrialisation Day, it's clear from the survey that the route to growth is to encourage entrepreneurs - making it easier for them to set up and grow their businesses.
“As more than one in 10 people in our survey already understand, flexible working is one way to achieve growth and boost entrepreneurship." It noted that the ability to explore opportunities beyond their national boundaries, without high upfront capital expenditure, could transform the fortunes of many African businesses.
As well as gauging businesses' views about the way for Africa to achieve growth and industrialisation, the survey looked at business confidence levels. These were strikingly high in East Africa, compared with other regions: the Regus Business Confidence level stood at 151 points, 37 points higher than the global average.
The number of businsses reporting profit and revenue growth was also higher than the global average. Almost six out of 10 businesses in East Africa intend to hire more staff over the next two years.
Joanne Bushell added: "The findings clearly show that, whilst African businesses regard international development as important, it is entrepreneurial activity at home that will propel growth and industrialisation.”