INVESTIGATING YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES AS A STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN BLANTYRE CITY (MALAWI)

Entrepreneurship contributes to economy growth of nations. Countries that enhance entrepreneurship, there is job creation and increase in productivity. The study aimed at identifying youth entrepreneurship initiatives as a strategy for economic growth in Blantyre city since there is high youth unemployment, low productivity, low entrepreneurship, slow economic growth and increase in poverty. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Theory, guided the study.This study targeted three different groups of respondents thus young entrepreneurs aged between 20 and 35 years, universities which serve as a support for students willing to become entrepreneurs or those who already own a business while studying and some academic researchers from Business schools. A total of 201 participants were engaged. The research adopted a mixed method research approach where questionnaire for quantitative approach and one-on-one interviews and Focus Group Discussion for qualitative research approach were used. Simple random, purposive and convenient sampling techniques were applied. Ethical issues were followed ensure participants were not harmed. Inferential and descriptive analysis for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data were done to identify youth entreprenurship factors affecting business performance. From the data collected, it indicated that there is high unemployment rate. Youth entrepreneurship contributes a lot to reduce unemployment, youth are facing a lot of challenges and that entrepreneurship policies are important for business success. The policies that are in place are not fully implemented by the government. The researcher recommends that government should provide more financing, training, lower interest rates, boost productivity and intensify friendly business environment among others. The study managed to identify challenges young entreprnerurs are facing and possible solutions, possible ways of creating jobs for the youth, public policy recommendations and added to academic literature on entrepreneurship field