From Nigeria to Canada: unpacking intersectional women entrepreneurship through a transnational feminist perspective

<p dir="ltr">Purpose: This study aims to understand the entrepreneurial experiences of Nigerian women immigrant entrepreneurs (NWIEs) in Canada. It goes beyond Western-centric frameworks to capture the specific challenges and motivations faced by this group and specifically addresses how intersecting cultural, gender and transnational identities shape their business ventures. </p><p dir="ltr">Design/methodology/approach: This qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews with NWIEs in Canada and employs thematic analysis to explore the interplay between migration, race and gender in shaping entrepreneurial experiences. </p><p dir="ltr">Findings: The findings reveal that the entrepreneurial experiences of NWIEs in Canada differ from those of local entrepreneurs, reflecting complex motivations such as self-actualization and role modeling, cultural representation, wealth creation, family support and unemployment. Shaped by intersecting identities, NWIEs face challenges such as limited networks, multiple responsibilities and racialized institutional barriers, highlighting the need for a transnational feminist perspective. The study also reveals that NWIEs respond to complex entrepreneurial dynamics by building entrepreneurial tenacity including seeking assistance, engaging in self- and/or business development programs, embracing self-care and relying on religious beliefs. </p><p dir="ltr">Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on female entrepreneurship by applying transnational feminist theory to understand the unique experiences of NWIEs in Canada. It challenges the dominant Western-centric narratives by emphasizing the intersectionality of race, gender and immigration status, thereby offering a nuanced perspective on their entrepreneurial motivations, challenges, resilience and aspirations. The study reveals unique insights on how NWIEs engage in entrepreneurship as a sovereignty practice by responding to multi-level challenges using communal logics and strategic adaptation techniques and creating new opportunities by reconfiguring the market and reframing the business. By focusing on the cultural and contextual factors influencing NWIEs, this research highlights the importance of diverse experiences in shaping entrepreneurial practices and policies.</p>