Journal of African Development

Background: Entrepreneurial intention (EI) is a critical predictor of entrepreneurial behavior, especially among students who represent the next generation of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial attitude (EA), as outlined in the Theory of Planned Behavior, is considered a central antecedent of EI. However, evidence across studies remains fragmented.

Purpose: This study systematically reviews the literature to synthesize evidence on the relationship between students’ entrepreneurial attitudes and entrepreneurial intentions, while examining key mediators, moderators, and contextual influences.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025 were retrieved from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The initial search identified 1,248 records. After removing 233 duplicates, 1,015 records were screened. Following title and abstract screening, 890 records were excluded. A total of 125 full-text articles were assessed, of which 80 were excluded for not meeting eligibility criteria. Finally, 45 studies were included for synthesis.

Results: The findings confirm a consistent positive association between EA and EI, demonstrating that favorable entrepreneurial attitudes significantly enhance students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Variations in the strength of this relationship were observed across cultural, educational, and demographic contexts. Moderating and mediating variables such as entrepreneurial education, self-efficacy, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms were found to influence the EA–EI link.

Conclusions: The review consolidates fragmented evidence and strengthens the theoretical basis of the EA–EI relationship. Practical implications suggest that fostering positive entrepreneurial attitudes through targeted education and experiential interventions can significantly boost entrepreneurial intentions among students. Future research should adopt longitudinal and cross-cultural approaches to deepen understanding of how attitudes translate into entrepreneurial action