Socio-ecological barriers to youth entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of empirical evidence

Abstract

Youth entrepreneurship is a significant means of reducing unemployment, crime, and brain drain. Indirectly, they contribute to the overall gross domestic product (GDP) and socioeconomic development. Despite these profound benefits, no study in SSA has synthesized findings on barriers to entrepreneurship among youths in the sub-region. This study was therefore conducted to fill this gap. The study employed a mixed methods systematic review and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-reporting) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted based on the time period between 31st December 2010 and 1st September 2023 in JSTOR, Google Scholar, Emerald, SAGE and Scopus using identified keywords. A total of 15 studies which met all the inclusion criteria for the study were analyzed using a framework synthesis. Key findings from the study identified some individual, interpersonal, community and societal-level barriers to youth entrepreneurship in SSA to include lack of entrepreneurial skills and education, lack of social support and limited access to social capital, limited access to credit and lack of business support centers and facilities, and poor government policies and hostile legal framework, respectively. In conclusion, governments of SSA must do more and tailor direct solutions to addressing barriers to youth entrepreneurship.