Edinburgh Napier University

  Based on a qualitative study, this paper aims to develop an understanding of the role of trust in SME internationalisation in West Africa. To date most of the literature on trust and SME internationalisation reveals a paucity of studies on how trust enables internationalisation networks in West African SMEs. This paper attempts to address this gap by examining a range of indigenous institutions and trust based relationships that have evolved. This is important as it identifies the alternative informal institutions that facilitate SME trust development, networking and internationalisation in the context of weak formal institutions. We contribute to the literature by establishing the role of trust in overcoming the internationalisation barriers of SMEs in Nigeria and Ghana.