ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND STUDENT VENTURE CREATION: A REVIEW OF INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS AND ECOSYSTEM CONDITIONS

Abstract

Entrepreneurship development among youth and higher institution students is recognised as a strategy for addressing economic growth and sustainable development, particularly in Africa. However, despite growing discussion, policy proposals, and support, youth unemployment rates remain high, while student Total Entrepreneurial Activities remain low. This paper presents a systematic review of the challenges African students face that hinder the development of entrepreneurial skills and explores the prospects for entrepreneurial action. Guided by the PRISMA framework, relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025 were selected from reputable academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. A systematic search and screening yielded 65 peer-reviewed studies for analysis. Selected studies were synthesised thematically, revealing several major barriers affecting the learners' transformation. Findings highlight, based on the literature reviewed, the mediating roles of self-efficacy and orientation in transforming educational learning into venture outcomes. It therefore develops a conceptual framework connecting institutional inputs, individual competencies, and ecosystem factors to student venture creation. The review synthesises existing research into an integral framework and provides actionable policy recommendations to strengthen the entrepreneurial
ecosystem in higher institutions of learning. Therefore, the study recommends synthesising fragmented research into a multi-level conceptual framework linking education, competencies, and ecosystem support to venture creation. It informs policymakers, university management, and industry stakeholders on how to design, implement, and sustain entrepreneurship curriculum, programs and policies that develop students’ capabilities and confidence.