Benny Carlson

The purpose of this article is (a) to review scholarly literature on entrepreneurship among Somalis in the United Kingdom and (b) through a field survey among Somali entrepreneurs in the UK assess if the prevailing image – derived from (a) – is valid or if some additional observations may alter the picture. Step (b) is accomplished through interviews with 36 Somalia-born entrepreneurs, most of them secondary migrants from other European countries and currently living in Birmingham, Leicester and London, about their lives and businesses. The results indicate that the prevailing image holds true in most respects. However, the view of Somali entrepreneurs as victims of intense competition should be modified. Many shopkeepers selling similar goods cooperate and reap advantages from sharing information and costs. Also, Somali entrepreneurship should be judged not only by its economic but also by its social achievements.