Local Navigations in a Global Industry: The Gendered Nature of Entrepreneurship in Ghana's Oil and Gas Service Sector

Oil and gas discoveries spurred expectations of economic growth and employment in Ghana. The demand for labour is however limited within offshore petroleum extraction. Employment generation therefore depends on the development of an onshore oil and gas service sector. This study examines the strategies adopted by local entrepreneurs in the 'oil city' of Takoradi, focusing on the gendered nature of their activities, skills, networks and capital sources. I argue that the petroleum industry's male dominance and international standards requirements, coupled with gender constraints regarding work and access to relevant resources, limit female entrepreneurs' creation of employment in this emerging sector.