Digitalization and Entrepreneurship Drive of the Youth in Ghana

Abstract

Entrepreneurs, especially young entrepreneurs play a vital role in the economic growth of the local economy. Extant literature has indicated the entrepreneurs seldom have the required knowledge and skills which is needed to develop their businesses in order to remain competitive. The study aims to explore digitalization and entrepreneurship drives of the youth in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative research approach where data was collected using the snowballing approach from 20 youth owned small businesses operating within the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly. Data analysis was carried out using thematic content textual analysis with the help of  NVIVO12. The findings of the paper indicated that the Ghanaian youth do not have the required digital skills to propel their entrepreneurial drive and those who have knowledge about digitalization have less knowledge on how to harness this opportunity into making decent earnings as entrepreneurs. The study recommends the provision of enabling environment for the youth to effectively function through the provision of hand-on practical education and the needed infrastructure to propel the entrepreneurial drive of the youth.

Keywords:Digitalization; digital economy; digital technologies; Entrepreneurship; youth entrepreneurship

DOI: 10.7176/IKM/13-5-01

Publication date:August 31^st 2023