Digital entrepreneurship: A pathway to job creation and income generation for the youth

This study examines how digital entrepreneurship contributes to job creation and income generation. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional research design and utilized an adapted questionnaire to collect data from 160 respondents, comprising aspiring young entrepreneurs who had participated in entrepreneurship training programmes provided by the SIMAD-Innovation Lab at SIMAD University and the Jamhuriya Incubation Center (JIC) at the Jamhuriya University of Science and Technology. The study employed partial least squares structural equation modelling using Smart-PLS software (v.4.1.1.1) for data analysis. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between digital entrepreneurship and job creation. The results also reveal a significant positive relationship between digital entrepreneurship and income generation. The findings imply that developing digital skills enhances individuals’ employability and earning potential, as such competencies enable participation in digital ventures and provide access to job opportunities in the digital economy. The findings of this study have practical implications for key stakeholders, such as government agencies, practitioners, entrepreneurial institutions, and policymakers, in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem. These include investing in digital infrastructure, expanding access to affordable Internet, providing digital and entrepreneurial skills training, and implementing supportive policies and funding schemes for startups. Such efforts could yield significant economic and social returns through increased job creation and improved incomes.