Beyond the Classroom: Mapping Entrepreneurial Learning Ecosystems for Small Businesses in South Africa

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on New Approaches in Education

Year: 2026

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Beyond the Classroom: Mapping Entrepreneurial Learning Ecosystems for Small Businesses in South Africa

Jackalyn Appalsami, Manivasan Appalsami

ABSTRACT:

South Africa faces persistently high unemployment, reaching 31.9% in recent years, highlighting the critical need for entrepreneurship as an engine for job creation and economic growth. While formal entrepreneurship education receives significant policy attention, less emphasis is placed on how entrepreneurs acquire knowledge outside traditional classrooms. This desktop study explores the diverse pathways through which small business owners obtain entrepreneurial information and education in South Africa.
Drawing on contemporary literature, government reports, and research published between 2015 and 2026, the study synthesises formal, non-formal, and informal knowledge acquisition channels. The review spans institutional programs, business development agencies, mentorship networks, and digital learning platforms, with particular focus on the accelerating role of digital technologies in knowledge sharing.
The analysis identifies critical themes regarding the accessibility, credibility, and practical application of these learning channels. The findings emphasise that integrating formal instruction with experiential, network-based, and digital learning is vital to strengthening entrepreneurial competence. Ultimately, this study contributes to the field by proposing a conceptual framework that illustrates the interaction between formal, informal, and digital learning ecosystems within emerging economies.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship Education; Emerging Economies; Knowledge Acquisition; Literature Review; Small Business Development