Professor Robertson Khan Tengeh is a Cameroonian-born academic and researcher who has built a distinguished career in South Africa.
He is a Full Professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). His research has focused strongly on African immigrant entrepreneurship, small businesses, entrepreneurship education and business sustainability.
Tengeh is attracting fresh attention because he is scheduled to deliver his Professorial Inaugural Lecture at UWC on September 15, 2026. The lecture will examine the challenges African entrepreneurs face when moving from business survival to sustainability.
Who Is Robertson Khan Tengeh?
Robertson Khan Tengeh is a professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.
He is an NRF C2-rated researcher, a national research rating that recognises sustained research standing. UWC says his work has produced more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, with his research receiving more than 3,700 citations.
His academic work has concentrated particularly on African immigrant entrepreneurs in South Africa. This area of research has given him a distinctive academic profile because his research connects closely with his own experience as someone born in Cameroon who built an academic career in South Africa.
Robertson Khan Tengeh Biography at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robertson Khan Tengeh |
| Birth country | Cameroon |
| Nationality/background | Cameroonian-born |
| Profession | Academic, researcher and professor |
| Current institution | University of the Western Cape |
| Current position | Full Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship |
| Research area | African immigrant entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship |
| Research rating | NRF C2 |
| Publications | More than 100 peer-reviewed publications |
| Current academic event | Professorial Inaugural Lecture, September 15, 2026 |
Robertson Khan Tengeh Early Life
Tengeh was born in Cameroon before eventually building his academic and professional career in South Africa.
His personal journey has influenced the direction of his scholarship. His research has repeatedly examined the experiences of African immigrants who establish and operate businesses in South Africa.
One of his published book chapters, From Cameroon to South Africa: From Refugee to Successful Businessman, explores the connection between migration and entrepreneurship. The chapter appeared in the 2019 Springer volume Refugee Entrepreneurship.
His background therefore provides an important link between his personal journey and his academic interests.
Robertson Khan Tengeh Education and Academic Career
Tengeh developed his academic career through research and teaching in South Africa.
His work has appeared in academic journals and research repositories covering entrepreneurship, management, public-sector administration, business sustainability and economic development.
Before his current position at UWC, his research was also associated with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Its institutional repository lists numerous publications by Tengeh covering areas such as African immigrant businesses, entrepreneurship education, business incubation and SME development.
At UWC, he became a Full Professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.
Robertson Khan Tengeh Research
Immigrant entrepreneurship is one of the central themes of Tengeh’s research.
His studies have examined how African immigrants finance businesses, overcome resource constraints and sustain enterprises in South Africa.
Earlier research examined the financing of immigrant-owned businesses in the Cape Town metropolitan area. Other studies explored informal financial associations, business sustainability and the challenges faced by immigrant-owned SMEs.
His research has also expanded into entrepreneurship education, public-sector management, social enterprises, technology adoption and risk management.
For example, his publications have examined entrepreneurship programmes, the sustainability of social enterprises, knowledge management in South African government and factors affecting SME risk management.
Robertson Khan Tengeh and African Immigrant Entrepreneurship
Tengeh has become particularly associated with research into the experiences of African immigrants who operate businesses in South Africa.
His research examines the practical barriers these entrepreneurs encounter, including access to finance, documentation challenges, informal business structures and wider economic pressures.
This research has helped position immigrant entrepreneurship as more than an individual business issue. It also connects entrepreneurship with migration, economic inclusion, employment and public policy.
His work has included research on Cameroonian immigrant entrepreneurs and the informal financial associations they use to support business activities.
Robertson Khan Tengeh Inaugural Lecture
Tengeh is scheduled to deliver his Professorial Inaugural Lecture at the University of the Western Cape on September 15, 2026.
The lecture is titled “Designed For Someone Else: Entrepreneurship, Constraint, And The African Journey From Survival To Sustainability.”
According to UWC, the lecture draws on more than two decades of research involving African immigrant entrepreneurs in the Cape Town metropolitan area.
It explores why many African entrepreneurs struggle to move beyond survival and argues that existing support systems are often poorly designed for the people who need them.
The lecture will also introduce his work on Constrained Agency Theory, which examines how entrepreneurs respond strategically to restrictive environments and limited access to formal support systems.
Robertson Khan Tengeh Publications and Achievements
Tengeh has produced an extensive body of scholarly work.
His publications include research on immigrant-owned businesses, SME sustainability, entrepreneurship education, social enterprises, mobile commerce, public administration and economic development.
Among his documented research are studies on sustaining immigrant entrepreneurship in South Africa, the financing of immigrant-owned businesses and the role of informal financial associations.
His work has also examined the impact of mobile money on SMEs in Douala, Cameroon, demonstrating that his research interests extend beyond South Africa to wider African business environments.
His publication record and research impact have contributed to his recognition as an NRF C2-rated researcher at UWC.
Robertson Khan Tengeh’s Academic Impact
Tengeh’s significance extends beyond the number of papers he has published.
His research connects academic theory with the everyday realities of African entrepreneurs. By focusing on immigrant-owned businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurship education, he has contributed to discussions about how African economies can create more supportive environments for enterprise development.
His work also demonstrates the value of African researchers studying African economic realities from within the continent.
That theme is particularly visible in his forthcoming inaugural lecture, which links entrepreneurship theory with the lived experiences of African entrepreneurs in South Africa.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robertson Khan Tengeh?
Robertson Khan Tengeh is a Cameroonian-born professor and researcher based at the University of the Western Cape in South Africa.
What does Robertson Khan Tengeh teach?
He is a Full Professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of the Western Cape.
What does Robertson Khan Tengeh research?
His research focuses heavily on African immigrant entrepreneurship, SME sustainability, entrepreneurship education and business development.
Where was Robertson Khan Tengeh born?
Robertson Khan Tengeh was born in Cameroon and later built his academic career in South Africa.
How many publications does Robertson Khan Tengeh have?
UWC states that he has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and more than 3,700 citations.
When is Robertson Khan Tengeh’s inaugural lecture?
His Professorial Inaugural Lecture is scheduled for September 15, 2026, at the University of the Western Cape.
What is Robertson Khan Tengeh’s inaugural lecture about?
The lecture examines African entrepreneurship, the constraints faced by entrepreneurs and the journey from business survival to sustainability.
Key Facts About Robertson Khan Tengeh
- Robertson Khan Tengeh was born in Cameroon.
- He built his academic career in South Africa.
- He is a Full Professor at the University of the Western Cape.
- He specialises in Management and Entrepreneurship.
- He is an NRF C2-rated researcher.
- He has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.
- His research focuses strongly on African immigrant entrepreneurship.
- He has researched SMEs, entrepreneurship education and business sustainability.
- His work includes research involving Cameroon and other African countries.
- He is scheduled to deliver his UWC Professorial Inaugural Lecture on September 15, 2026.
Conclusion
Professor Robertson Khan Tengeh is an important African academic whose career connects migration, entrepreneurship and higher education.
From his beginnings in Cameroon to his professorship in South Africa, his professional journey has developed alongside a research programme focused on the realities facing African entrepreneurs.
His September 15, 2026 inaugural lecture provides a timely opportunity to examine his academic career and research contribution. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and a strong focus on African immigrant entrepreneurship, Tengeh has established himself as a notable figure in African management and entrepreneurship scholarship.