ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTGOALS IN SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH SMALL BUSINESSES

Abstract

The alignment of entrepreneurial education with sustainable entrepreneurship has become increasingly important as countries pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In South Africa, small businesses play a critical role in economic development yet face structural barriers that limit their adoption of sustainable practices. This study examined how entrepreneurial education influences the capacity of small businesses to align with and advance the SDGs. A desktop research design was employed, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, policy reports, and documented case studies. The findings indicate that South African university programs that embed sustainability into entrepreneurship curricula (particularly through experiential learning and innovation hubs) enhance graduates’ ability to establish SDG-aligned ventures. Evidence from initiatives at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, the University of the Western Cape, and Stellenbosch University’s LaunchLab demonstrates that sustainability-integrated programs contribute to ventures in renewable energy, waste management, sustainable agriculture, and circular production models. Cases such as AgriProtein further illustrate how university-trained entrepreneurs translate sustainability education into scalable business innovation. The study concludes that entrepreneurial education strengthens human capital and operationalises Triple Bottom Line principles, positioning universities as key drivers of sustainable entrepreneurship and SDG advancement in South Africa.