KAMPALA — Pan-Africanist scholar Kihura Nkuba has criticised the structure of many African businesses, arguing that over-centralisation of roles is hindering sustainability and growth.
Speaking during NBS Face Off, Nkuba pointed to a common trend where business owners take on multiple roles, leaving enterprises vulnerable to disruption.
“You go to a business, and the director is the receptionist, auditor, accountant, and banker,” he said. “If he falls sick, the whole business falls sick because we are using somebody else’s method of management.”
Nkuba argued that such practices reflect a mismatch between imported management systems and local realities, calling for more context-driven approaches that ensure continuity and shared responsibility within organisations.
He emphasised that African economies must build systems that are resilient and less dependent on individuals, particularly in small and medium enterprises.
In a broader reflection on economic behaviour and local markets, Nkuba also underscored the importance of understanding community needs in shaping business decisions.
“Because they know their people will want their food,” he said, in reference to how some businesses succeed by aligning closely with local demand and consumption patterns.
His remarks come amid ongoing debates about economic transformation, entrepreneurship, and the need for African-led models of development that reflect local conditions and priorities.
Analysts say Nkuba’s comments highlight a recurring challenge in Uganda’s private sector, where many businesses remain informal and heavily reliant on individual founders, limiting scalability and long-term resilience.
