Overview of South Africa's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: A Literature Review

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the development of South Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted with database searches, which highlighted challenges and opportunities. Highlights include social inequality, bureaucracy, and difficulties in accessing credit; the strategic role of universities and technology hubs in the development of human capital and innovation; regional experiences, such as the ecosystems of Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela Bay, and Mpumalanga; and the influence of the BRICS as a block supporting the transformation of the entrepreneurial environment. The research demonstrates that, despite advances in public policies and the creation of support platforms, the South African ecosystem lacks coordinated actions, territorial integration, and institutional strengthening to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.