THE ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE IN VENTURE CREATION AMONG UGANDAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN QATAR

Abstract

This study examines the role of entrepreneurship education and prior entrepreneurial experience in venture creation among Ugandan migrant workers in Qatar, where migrants constitute a significant portion of the labour force. Drawing on a sample of 334 Ugandan expatriates, the research examines how these two factors influence their entrepreneurial intentions and outcomes. The findings reveal strong positive correlations between both entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial experience with venture creation, with education showing a particularly robust effect (β = 0.728, p < 0.001). Regression analysis indicates that these variables explain 94.7% of the variance in venture creation (adjusted R² = 0.947). Despite facing challenges such as limited access to capital, discriminatory practices, and legal barriers, Ugandan migrants, equipped with business education and prior entrepreneurial experience, are well-positioned to establish successful ventures. The study highlights the importance of targeted entrepreneurship education programs and experiential learning opportunities to foster self-employment among migrants. These findings have important implications for policy development, suggesting that supporting migrant entrepreneurship could drive economic growth, improve remittances, and contribute to the broader development goals of both host and origin countries. Future research could expand on these insights by examining the specific barriers and enablers across different migrant groups and host economies. KEY WORDS: Entrepreneurship Education, Entrepreneurial Experience, Venture Creation Ugandan Migrant Workers