Business mogul, Obi Cubana, has sparked widespread debate after sharing his perspective on why many African entrepreneurs struggle to reach global heights, pointing to a deep-rooted reluctance to share ownership and collaborate.
According to Cubana, African business owners often prefer to “do it alone,” driven by a desire for complete control, whereas Western entrepreneurs understand the power of partnerships, equity sharing, and collective effort to execute large-scale projects.
He stressed that this mindset of sole ownership limits expansion, stunts innovative growth, and makes complex business opportunities harder to achieve, as individuals prioritize authority over teamwork and shared prosperity.
Trust barriers and accountability challenges
While many viewers applauded Cubana’s message on teamwork and collaboration, others argued that the issue extends beyond unwillingness to share.
A number of social media users highlighted trust issues, lack of transparency, and poor accountability as major reasons partnerships fail across Africa.
One user wrote: “People have lost millions because partners were not honest or accountable. It's not just pride — we don’t trust each other because too many partnerships end in betrayal.”
Systems, contracts, and corporate discipline
Commenters also emphasized that successful collaboration requires proper structure, legal agreements, and professional discipline.
They noted that Western business systems rely on contracts, investor protection, and strict performance standards, allowing multiple stakeholders to operate fairly and efficiently.
Another user added: “Foreign investors don’t mix emotions with business. There are contracts, penalties, and removal systems — friendship or seniority doesn’t matter if you fail the team.”
Despite differing opinions, Cubana’s message continues to fuel conversations on entrepreneurship culture in Africa, inspiring discussions around trust-building, corporate structure, and partnership as a pathway to global business success.
Watch video below…
“Why we Africans don’t go far in business is because we want to own it ourselves, nobody wants to share. But oyibo people, I bet you there might be 20 owners who don’t even know themselves and they come together to make complex project look very simple”
-Obi Cubana pic.twitter.com/OVALpfN1Xa
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) November 1, 2025