Abstract
Inclusive entrepreneurial development remains central to Africa’s long-term economic transformation. While policy discourse emphasises innovation, access, and ecosystem strengthening, many scholarly works have shown that less attention has been given to the relational foundations that enable inclusive enterprise participation. Entrepreneurship is widely acknowledged as a key driver of economic development and growth in many global regions, including the developing world (Bullough et al., 2021; Bosma and Kelley, 2019; Hechevarrıa et al., 2019). It is often hailed as a cornerstone of economic growth and innovation. Equally, existing research has continued to overlook the importance of minority entrepreneurs among lesser-known groups in favour of more prominent research topics (Omeihe, 2019; Amoako, 2019; Simba et al., 2023). This study examines the significance of trust in shaping entrepreneurial experiences and development pathways among African minority entrepreneurs. Drawing on a qualitative approach, the research explores how institutional trust, network-based trust, and relational dynamics influence access to resources, innovation practices, and market participation.