International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol 4, no 10, pp 3148-3157 October 2023 International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews Journal homepage: www.ijrpr.com ISSN 2582-7421 Evaluating Factors that Affect Entrepreneurial Intentions among Higher Learning Institution Students in Lusaka Mr. Milu Elisha Kafumukache 1 , Mr. Kadeyo Mutale Kuyela 2 , Mr. Patrick Mubiana 3 , Mr. Muleya Sitali Joseph 4 , Dr. Maybin Masando 5 , Ms. Funny Ng'ambi 6 , Ms. Mwangala Mutemwa 7 , Mr. Melvin Meleki 8 1 PhD Student, Institute of Distance Education, Department Development Studies, University of Zambia, Zambia. 2 Librarian Chreso University, Zambia and Head of Campus, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia. 3 Lecturer, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia. 4 Lecturer, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia. 5 Head of Campus Ndola, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia. 6 Masters student, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia, 7 Lecturer, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia, 8 Lecturer, National Institute of Public Administration, Zambia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.4.1023.102834 ABSTRACT This study examines the multifaceted factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among students in higher learning institutions located in Lusaka, Zambia. Entrepreneurship has emerged as a critical driver of economic development and innovation, making it imperative to understand the determinants that shape students' intentions towards entrepreneurial endeavors. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining surveys and in-depth interviews, to gather comprehensive data from a diverse sample of students. The factors under scrutiny encompass personal traits, educational environment, family background, socio- cultural influences, and exposure to entrepreneurial role models. The findings contribute valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to foster an entrepreneurial mindset within the academic community. Additionally, this research informs strategies aimed at cultivating a more vibrant and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem in Lusaka, ultimately promoting economic growth and job creation. 1. Introduction For all nations' economies to evolve and adapt, entrepreneurship is essential. Entrepreneurship makes contributions in the areas of innovation and employment creation (Majid & Ismail, 2012). This conclusion holds true for both developed countries like the United States (Harris, 2013) and developing countries like Bangladesh (Uddin & Bose, 2012), Nigeria (Owoseni, 2014), and Malaysia. Venture creation is consequently a key source of employment in many countries (Sandhu, et al., 2011). Therefore, in the global socioeconomic climate that is rapidly changing, entrepreneurship has a significant role (Topping, & Tariq, 2010). Entrepreneurial development is gaining more and more attention from policy makers, institutions, the government, and other organisations (Owoseni, 2014). Entrepreneurship has long been seen as a vital driver of economic development, innovation, and job creation (Uygun & Kasimoglu, 2013). The efforts undertaken by the government, universities, and other organisations to encourage venture creation serve as proof of this (Karabulut, 2014). Nevertheless, starting new businesses is harder than expected. This is so because starting a new business or engaging in entrepreneurship is a decision made with deliberate thought (Linan, Nabi, & Krueger, 2013). Entrepreneurial intention, according to Reilly and Carsrud (2000), is the greatest indicator of entrepreneurial behaviour or the action of starting a new firm. Although it is well established that individual personality qualities do not reliably predict entrepreneurial behaviour, during the last 20 years, individual attributes have been utilised to predict entrepreneurial behaviour (Thompson, 2009). Entrepreneurship encompasses the actions of people and their intents to start a business. These antecedents include attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control (Ajzen, 1991). This is due to the fact that companies cannot just appear overnight; someone has to be responsible for their creation. Before beginning to create a new venture, this person or individual must believe it is personally desired to him (attitudes), socially desirable and accepted by others around him (subjective norms), and assumed it is within his competence and doable (perceived behavioural control). After these three requirements have been met, the intention to start a venture will manifest. Unintentional venture creation, activity, or behaviour is very improbable (Owoseni & Akambi, 2010).