The Conflicting Integration of African Businesses in Global Flow

In the global flow of people, technology, and commerce, African businesses face a conflicting position of integration. On one hand, entrepreneurs are leveraging available digital tools to reach a global audience and participate in transnational trade. On the other hand, some countries are banned from using popular international payment platforms, and there are ongoing issues with ineffective shipping systems that connect Africa, and Africa to other parts of the world. This study aims to examine, from the national to the business level, the frameworks, policies, and strategies that governments and entrepreneurs adopt to support small-scale business internationalisation through digital technologies. Using a qualitative method, with a phenomenological approach, I will study the fashion industries in Nigeria and Ghana. This research will explore how businesses from these two countries are accessing global markets through digital technologies. The study will probe questions about state-level policies or agencies actively supporting business internationalisation, especially for small-scale businesses. What regulatory measures exist around digital trade? What digital inclusionary and exclusionary factors influence domestic businesses in global trade? What strategies are local entrepreneurs adopting to internationalise their businesses and engage in transnational trade?