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Entrepreneurship education for youth in sub-Saharan Africa: A capabilities approach as an alternative framework to neoliberalism’s individualizing risks

Author

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  • Joan DeJaeghere

    (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA)

  • Aryn Baxter

    (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA)

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education is widely promoted as an approach to addressing youth unemployment. Contrasting neoliberal and human capabilities frameworks, this article draws attention to the problematic way in which much of the discourse surrounding entrepreneurship conflates programmes designed to spur economic development through business and job creation with those designed to alleviate poverty. Providing examples from the case of one NGO implementing a youth livelihood programme in sub-Saharan Africa, the authors discuss how a capabilities approach illuminates the importance of attending to youth values and addressing the social, material and institutional conditions that mediate how youths’ skills and resources are transformed into livelihood opportunities and choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Joan DeJaeghere & Aryn Baxter, 2014. "Entrepreneurship education for youth in sub-Saharan Africa: A capabilities approach as an alternative framework to neoliberalism’s individualizing risks," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 14(1), pages 61-76, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:14:y:2014:i:1:p:61-76
    DOI: 10.1177/1464993413504353
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    5. Chigunta, F. J. & Schnurr, Jamie. & James-Wilson, David. & Torres, Veronica., 2005. "Being "real" about youth entrepreneurship in Eastern and Southern Africa : implications for adults, institutions and sector structures," ILO Working Papers 993786523402676, International Labour Organization.
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