Resource constraints are typically viewed as barriers to business success and workforce development. This intensive five-day Global Network Week flips that narrative, examining how Nigeria's economy has produced remarkable entrepreneurs, including unicorns. Through immersion in Lagos (Nigeria), one of Africa's largest economies and a crucible of Africa’s tech giants, MBA participants will explore how entrepreneurs succeed despite limited capital, weak infrastructure, and policy/regulatory uncertainties. From informal apprenticeship systems producing millions of thriving business owners, to fintech unicorns built on mobile-first platforms, manufacturing clusters and other tech startups solving problems for the next billion users. Nigeria, like most emerging markets, demonstrates that constraints can drive creativity. This course equips participants with innovative solutions to business challenges in any context. Learning Objectives By the end of the GNAM week, participants will be able to: • Analyze how resource constraints drive innovation in business models, operations, and workforce development • Apply constraint innovation frameworks (frugal innovation, reverse innovation) to business venturing • Evaluate informal apprenticeship and entrepreneurship systems for principles transferable to formal contexts • Design low-cost, high-impact training and entrepreneurship programs that can work anywhere • Build business resilience strategies applicable to uncertain and volatile operating environments.
