For decades, entrepreneurship has been viewed through a romantic lens—one that celebrates lone geniuses, risk-takers, and rule-breakers who build empires out of thin air. This perception has given rise to a myth: that entrepreneurship is a rare, inborn talent that can’t be taught. But as the global economy shifts and innovation becomes a necessity rather than a luxury, we must challenge this idea.
It Starts with a Definition
To answer the question of whether entrepreneurship can be taught, we must first redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship is not simply about starting a business or owning a company. According to management thinker Peter Drucker, entrepreneurship is “not magic, not mysterious, and it has nothing to do with genes. It is a discipline—and like any discipline, it can be learned.”
Entrepreneurship is about identifying opportunities, applying creative solutions, and building value—whether in the private, public, or social sectors. This mindset can be taught, nurtured, and embedded in individuals from a young age.
Education as a Catalyst
Around the world, forward-thinking education systems are integrating entrepreneurship into mainstream learning—not as a standalone subject, but as a way of thinking.
Best practice example: Finland
In Finland, entrepreneurship education starts early. Schools encourage project-based learning, teamwork, problem-solving, and student-led initiatives. Entrepreneurship is embedded across subjects, helping students develop a sense of initiative and responsibility.
What we can do locally:
Teachers should develop cross-disciplinary approaches that promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
Curriculum designers must focus on instilling entrepreneurial attitudes—curiosity, resilience, adaptability—not just business skills.
Entrepreneurship should be embedded in school life: through competitions, idea fairs, student-run enterprises, and exposure to role models.
These methods help students see entrepreneurship not as a career path for a chosen few, but as a mindset for navigating life.
Families and Communities Have a Role Too
Parents and communities can spark curiosity and innovation by encouraging children to explore, create, and experiment. Whether it’s starting a garden project, a small side hustle, or managing a household budget, every activity that encourages responsibility and innovation lays the foundation for future entrepreneurial thinking.
The Role of Government: Enabling, Not Controlling
Government policy can make or break a country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Best practice example: Singapore
Singapore has developed one of the most entrepreneur-friendly environments in the world by combining robust education reforms with strong public-private partnerships. Government incentives include start-up grants, innovation hubs, simplified business registration, and bankruptcy laws that encourage risk-taking without lifelong penalties.
What we can do locally:
Reform bankruptcy laws to remove the stigma of failure.
Provide tax breaks and incentives for start-ups and early-stage investors.
Celebrate entrepreneurs as national assets—not just when they succeed, but for taking the initiative in the first place.
Unlocking the 15%
Globally, it’s believed that around 20% of any given population has entrepreneurial potential. Yet in many developing countries, including Namibia and South Africa, the actual entrepreneurship rate hovers far lower—around 5%. That means we’re missing out on a huge pool of potential.
This deficit isn’t due to a lack of talent. It stems from a lack of exposure, support, and belief. Our job—whether as educators, policymakers, or community members—is not necessarily to “teach entrepreneurship” to everyone, but to create the conditions where it can emerge. We must help individuals recognise their potential and give them the tools to act on it.