Write your thoughts …

“You have to write the word that wants to be written….”

This guide contains the following sections

• Content Guidelines
• Publishing Standards
• Submission

Content Guidelines

Topic proposals should meet the AAE’s dual criteria of “cultural expression x sustainable entrepreneurship”.

Based on the AAE vision of “providing a change engine and dialogue platform for African small and medium-sized enterprises”, the article needs to achieve:

Practical Insights: Help entrepreneurs understand the cultural, policy, and market characteristics of the African business environment, and reduce the risk of entrepreneurial failure.

Advocate innovation: Promote audience support for sustainable entrepreneurship and regional economic development, including government and donor organizations.

Cultural expression: showcasing local business wisdom in Africa and breaking stereotypes about the African market.

Promotional articles, particularly those advocating for specific brands require a small donation from authors representing companies or brands. This is to ensures fair compensation for the advertising space utilized

Requirements

Scope of Topic Selection (Choose One)

Social enterprises and sustainable development.

Topic value: echoing AAE’s core goal of “sustainable entrepreneurship”. Example: Rwanda Women’s Cooperative: Using Banana Fiber Handicrafts to Reverse the Deforestation Crisis

Informal Economy and Cultural Resilience

Topic value: Revealing AAE’s focus on the ‘unseen African business ecosystem’. Example: Street markets in Nigeria: How Yoruba oral contract tradition supports billions of naira in informal trade

Technology and Digital Transformation

Topic value: In line with AAE’s goal of “promoting innovation” and attracting young entrepreneurs. Example: Agricultural fintech in Kenya: How mobile lending can bypass the problem of missing land property rights

Commercial reconstruction in conflict areas

Topic value: Reflecting AAE’s concern for “regional economic stability”. Example: Mogadishu Battlefield Cafe in Somalia: How the Catering Industry Becomes an Economic Link for Youth to De radicalize

Cross border and regional cooperation

Topic Value: Strengthening the “Platform Dialogue” Function of AAE. Example: West African “Grandmother Network”: Informal Cross border Trade Credit System for Ghana Ivory Coast Businesswomen

Policy experimentation and entrepreneur response

Topic Value: Connecting AAE’s “Government Advocacy” and “Corporate Practice”. Example: Morocco Renewable Energy Act: Desert solar power plants and benefit sharing model for nomadic peoples

Business Insights from a Historical Perspective

Topic value: Responding to AAE’s mission of “cultural expression” and providing a long-term perspective. Example: From the Salt Merchant Road of the Sanghai Empire to the Niger River E-commerce Corridor: Business Model Iteration of the Millennium Trade Route

Structure

Abstract (within 150 words)

Extract core contradictions and solutions to attract the attention of policy makers and investors.

Framework of the main text

1. Background: Characteristics of the business environment (such as policies, cultural taboos, infrastructure status)
2. Challenge: Specific issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (including interview quotes from local entrepreneurs)
3. Case: Analysis of Successful/Failed Enterprises (Emphasizing Cultural Adaptability and Innovation Strategies)
4. Suggestion: A replicable action guide

Data Requirements

Data sources

1. Prioritize the use of localized data:government bulletins, reports from the African Development Bank, and research from local think tanks
2. Field evidence: can include direct interviews with 1-2 African entrepreneurs (please specify how the interviewees were anonymized)

Taboos

1. Avoid relying solely on second-hand reports from Western media
2. Avoid general statements (such as’ Africans like… ‘) and indicate specific ethnic groups/regions

Publishing Standards

AI Usage Disclosure

AAE discourages heavy AI usage in our published content to best celebrate the voice of our authors. Some articles on this website were revised by authors with assistance from AI tools. AAE is not held responsible for misrepresented intellectual property. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact the author.

Cultural Sensitivity

• Language: English and French, and local language keywords can be embedded
• Position: Avoid the “savior narrative” and emphasize the agency of African entities (e.g. changing “aid” to “collaboration”)

Tone

Adapt the tone to be more accessible and practitioner-oriented using simplified technical language, and strengthen the focus on practical implications for entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Article format and other requirements:

• File type: Microsoft Word
• Word count: maximum 1500 words in length with suitable headings for research articles. Prioritize clarity, readability, and applied insight for entrepreneurs and practitioners. Word count excludes biography of the author and references
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, normal margins.
• Figures and pictures: ensure you have the relevant permissions—credit must be included in the figure caption. Include at least one feature image. (additional inline image(s), photograph(s), or figure(s) are permitted). Not more than 1MB with dimension 1200×650.
• References: use in-text references with a references section, in MLA style, at the end article.
• Be written in English, using the principles of clear and plain language.
• Include a 100-word biography of the writer (bio can contain social media and other links).
• Not include any plagiarism.

SEO Optimisation

This standards serve content quality, organic visibility, user retention goals.

1. Title Standards

Core Requirements

• Avoid overly long, vague, or generic titles, which are common in low‑performing posts.
• Prioritize African context + clear topic + user‑centric keywords (e.g., African SMEs, West Africa funding, circular economy).
• Keep titles 50–60 characters (8–12 words) to fit search results and improve click‑through rates.
• Follow the model of high‑performing content, such as the 2026 e‑book announcement, which is specific, clear, and keyword‑aligned.

Recommended Title Formats

• Regional focus: Practical Topic for [African Country/Region] SMEs
• Industry insight: Trend or Strategy to Grow [Sector] Businesses in Africa
• Resource guide: Topic Guide for African Entrepreneurs

2. Category & Tag Standards

Category Rules

• Assign only one single primary site category per post; no sector-based parent or secondary categories will be used anymore.
• All former industry sector categories are discontinued; industry and regional grouping functions shift entirely to Tags.
• No posts shall remain in the Uncategorized category.

Tag Rules

• Add 5–10 relevant tags per post, covering three parts: target sector/industry, specific African country/region, and core theme.Standard sector tag list:

AgriTech & Food Innovation

Clean Energy & Sustainability

FinTech & Digital FinanceBusiness

Support & Capacity Building

Education & Skills Development

HealthTech & Healthcare Innovation

Transport & Logistics

• Avoid broad generic terms like “Africa”; use specific countries or regions (e.g., Ghana, West Africa).
• Maintain consistent spelling and align tags with high-performing content themes.

3. SEO

Core Optimization Actions

• Define one focus keyphrase related to African entrepreneurship for each post. Place it naturally in the title, the first 100 words, and subheadings.
• Write a 150–160 character meta description containing the focus keyphrase.
• Add descriptive image alt text with relevant keywords.
• Include 2–3 internal links to related AllAfripreneurs posts.
• Prioritize keywords used in high‑performing content, such as “African SMEs” and “digital innovation.”

4. Readability & Structure Standards

Key Improvement Requirements

• Use short paragraphs of 2–4 sentences; avoid dense, unbroken blocks of text.
• Insert subheadings every 300–400 words to improve scannability.
• Include a concise introduction: one paragraph with a hook, African context, and clear value proposition.
• Add a brief conclusion: recap key takeaways and a light prompt to encourage comments.
• Keep standard posts at 400–800 words; guides and reports at 800–1,500 words.

5. Audience Alignment Standards

Core Focus

• Design content for African founders, SMEs, and regional stakeholders, addressing the current mismatch between visitors and target users.
• Use local examples, regional challenges, and African success stories.
• Avoid content focused on non‑African markets; prioritize topics relevant to African industries and entrepreneurs.

6. Pre‑Publishing Checklist

✅ Title is 50–60 characters, African‑focused, and keyword‑optimized

✅ One primary category and up to two secondary categories assigned

✅ 5–10 specific, relevant tags added

✅ Focus keyphrase, meta description, and image alt text completed

✅ Short paragraphs, subheadings, intro, and conclusion included

✅ Content aligned with African audience needs and regional context

✅ No grammar or spelling errors

Submission

1. Writer submits article and feature image to the Editor or Content Producer. If you have not been assigned to an AAE Editor, please reach out to any member of the Editorial Team.
2. AAE Editor/Content Producer reviews the article (sometimes the Content Producer and Editor are the same person)
3. Writer makes changes to the article in response to the feedback.
4. The Editor/Content Producer sends the final revised report to the AAE’s top management for approval.
5. When AAE is satisfied with the changes or updates, the Editor or Content Producer OKs volunteer writer to submit at this link.
6. After the article is published, please keep an eye out for a task feedback link on the UNV UVP portal dashboard and notify AAE when you have sent it.  Learn more about the UVP End of Assignment procedure. The feedback prompt is often ready after 12 weeks from start of assignment
7. [UNV Volunteers only] AAE sends a similar feedback on the UVP portal. Writer Certificate of Appreciation is generated by UNV
8. [UNV Volunteers only] AAE sends a similar feedback on the UVP portal. Writer Certificate of Appreciation is generated by UNV
9. Writer optionally creates and shares a video on about the article. This may be uploaded to AAE official website and social media handles to allows more people to learn about your work and you.

Volunteer Agreement to Grant Copyright License to AAE

By submitting an article for publication, the writer grants the African Association of Entrepreneurs a non-exclusive, royalty-free right in perpetuity to use the Work, in whole or in part, and to incorporate the Work, in whole or in part, into other works (“Derivative Works”) for educational and research purposes, including, but not limited to, reproduction and distribution in organization’s printed and electronic materials and posting of the Work on the Organization’s Web site(s). All right, title, and interest in the Work, including without limitation, any copyright, shall remain with the Volunteer.

The Organisation shall own the copyright in any Derivative Works it creates. This Agreement is made in consideration of and is a condition of the volunteer writer opportunity offered by AAE.