Witchcraft in entrepreneurship is a fascinating and complex topic. In some cultures, particularly in parts of Africa, there are beliefs that witchcraft—whether in the form of spiritual practices, traditional medicine, or supernatural influence—plays a role in business success or failure. Some entrepreneurs may use rituals or charms to attract prosperity, while others fear that competitors might use witchcraft to sabotage their ventures.

In Namibia, for example, witchcraft is sometimes linked to jealousy and resource distribution, influencing how communities interact with entrepreneurs. Similarly, in Malawi, witchcraft is seen as a way to navigate tensions within community-based enterprises, helping people cope with socio-economic inequalities.

"Witchcraft" in the literal, supernatural sense does not have a place in entrepreneurship—business success is typically driven by factors like strategy, innovation, market research, execution, and persistence. However, people may perceive or describe certain behaviors metaphorically as "witchcraft" in the entrepreneurial context when:

How do you know if “witchcraft” is at play?

Rather than looking for supernatural causes, it’s better to:

• Analyze the entrepreneur’s methods, partnerships, and strategy
• Investigate their market understanding, timing, and execution
• Check for ethical or unethical behaviors
• Look at psychological and sociological influences on their team, customers, or market

In short, if something seems like “witchcraft” in entrepreneurship, it's usually just clever strategy, timing, manipulation, or misunderstanding.

Insightful and informative

The concept of "witchcraft" in entrepreneurship is a metaphorical one, not a literal one. It refers to the often unseen, unpredictable, and sometimes seemingly magical forces that can influence business success or failure. These factors aren't supernatural but rather complex and interconnected elements like market shifts, competitor actions, technological advancements, and even the entrepreneur's own psychological state. Luck, timing, and serendipitous connections can all play a role, creating a sense of mystery or magic in the entrepreneurial journey.

Determining whether "witchcraft" exists in the entrepreneurial sense is not about proving or disproving supernatural forces. Instead, it's about recognising the interplay of numerous variables and acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the process. The "proof" lies in analysing the consistent patterns and correlations between various factors and entrepreneurial outcomes, identifying systemic influences that aren't immediately obvious, and acknowledging the role of chance.

The connection between witchcraft and entrepreneurship can be understood through cultural and psychological lenses. Both practices involve managing uncertainty and risk—entrepreneurs take risks in launching businesses, while practitioners of witchcraft seek to influence uncertain outcomes through rituals. Both fields require a strong belief in one's ability to shape the future, whether it's through strategic decision-making or spiritual practices.

Psychologically, both witchcraft and entrepreneurship provide a sense of empowerment and control over outcomes. Entrepreneurs, like those practicing witchcraft, often deal with skepticism and resistance from society, as both are seen as non-conventional. In some cultures, mystical beliefs are integrated into entrepreneurship, where success is believed to come from a combination of skill and spiritual forces.

Additionally, both practices involve rituals—entrepreneurs create strategies and plans, while witches perform rituals to influence the world around them. Ultimately, witchcraft and entrepreneurship share common themes of belief, control, and strategy, despite being distinct practices in their respective domains.

At first glance, witchcraft and entrepreneurship appear to occupy opposite ends of the rational-spiritual spectrum—one rooted in economic activity and innovation, the other in supernatural beliefs. Yet in many societies, particularly across sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Latin America, and Southeast Asia, the two are deeply entangled. In contexts where spiritual beliefs permeate daily life, entrepreneurial success is rarely viewed as purely material or merit-based. Instead, it often invites scrutiny, suspicion, or spiritual interpretation.

Sudden wealth or rapid business growth may be met with whispers of occult involvement. Entrepreneurs, especially those who deviate from community norms or display conspicuous wealth, are vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft or ritual practices. This can have real-world consequences—ranging from social isolation to reputational damage or even violent reprisal. Conversely, many business owners actively seek spiritual guidance or protection through rituals, charms, or affiliations with religious or traditional healers. Spiritual entrepreneurship itself—such as the sale of “blessed” products, healing services, or prophetic insight—also thrives in this environment.

These dynamics reveal a rich intersection for anthropological, sociological, and economic inquiry. How do beliefs about witchcraft influence trust, risk-taking, or wealth distribution? How do entrepreneurs navigate spiritual expectations in their communities? And to what extent do these beliefs shape broader patterns of enterprise, inequality, and social mobility?

Understanding this nexus not only deepens our appreciation of culturally embedded economic behavior but also challenges dominant Western assumptions about what drives entrepreneurship in non-Western contexts.