Categories
Media release

Media release

YAEI and Absa launch the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship Programme

28 March 2025

Revitalised Youth Entrepreneurship Programme promises to drive entrepreneurship even further in South Africa.

Young African Entrepreneurs Institute (YAEI) together with Absa have joined forces to roll-out a revitalised Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) for 2025. Through the programme and associated interventions throughout the year, the partners are single-minded about unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs and shaping the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa.

"As a major bank, Absa knows all too well the centrality of young entrepreneurs in driving our economy and the country’s fortunes forward. Together with other partners, which include W&RSETA, National Development Agency and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, the YEP aligns strongly with our collective vision of empowering young entrepreneurs, particularly individuals from underserved communities by providing them with the tools and resources needed to transition from informal enterprises to thriving, formalised businesses. Through our combined efforts, we aim to create an enabling environment where young business owners can thrive, innovate, and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” said Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive for Corporate Citizenship at Absa. "As a longstanding supporter of YAEI, we are proud to welcome more partners and continue our support for youth entrepreneurship in South Africa and across the continent".

The Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) is a flagship initiative by YAEI, designed to bridge the gap between young entrepreneurs and the opportunities they need to enable them in their entrepreneurial ventures. Actively increasing entrepreneurial activity through funding, skills training, and interventions for women and youth entrepreneurs and helping to formalise micro enterprises is at the heart of the programme.

To date, the programme and collaboration has had an immense impact in the sector. This is evidenced in the fact that deserving YAEI beneficiaries attended to the London Investment Week SME immersion last year, providing global exposure to local businesses, while selected YAEI beneficiaries also showcased their businesses at the recent Proudly SA event which took place in March 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Absa’s collaboration with YAEI has impacted over 3300 young innovators over the last 2 years. .

“The 2025 iteration of the YEP, which is being launched today, Friday, 28 March 2025, as part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme Investment Summit. The platform is aimed at fostering a collaborative approach towards innovation, facilitating investment, and driving sustainable youth entrepreneurship development in South Africa. This landmark event brings together a dynamic ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and policymakers, all committed to unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs,” said Risuna Maluleke, CEO of YAEI.

Through the Youth Entrepreneurship Tour, Youth Entrepreneurship Skills Programme, Emerging30 Innovators Programme and the Youth Entrepreneurship Week, the programme aims to create a strong pipeline of future business leaders.

"At YAEI, we believe that the future of Africa’s socio-economic development lies in the hands of young entrepreneurs. The continued implementation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme remains symbolic of our mission towards building a sustainable movement to equip young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and financial tools to scale their enterprises," added Maluleke. “We are honoured to have Absa, WRSETA, the universities and TVET Colleges continue to support the work we do. We also welcome SEDFA, NDA and the Provincial Departments of Economic Development as new partners in this journey of economic inclusion. And of course we are looking forward to more partnerships towards the course.”

“As part of YEP, there will be a series of interventions and workshops throughout 2025 and we encourage all South Africans to get involved and help drive youth entrepreneurship in our communities”, concluded Dr Zwane.

28 March 2025

Revitalised Youth Entrepreneurship Programme promises to drive entrepreneurship even further in South Africa.

Young African Entrepreneurs Institute (YAEI) together with Absa have joined forces to roll-out a revitalised Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) for 2025. Through the programme and associated interventions throughout the year, the partners are single-minded about unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs and shaping the future of entrepreneurship in South Africa.

"As a major bank, Absa knows all too well the centrality of young entrepreneurs in driving our economy and the country’s fortunes forward. Together with other partners, which include W&RSETA, National Development Agency and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, the YEP aligns strongly with our collective vision of empowering young entrepreneurs, particularly individuals from underserved communities by providing them with the tools and resources needed to transition from informal enterprises to thriving, formalised businesses. Through our combined efforts, we aim to create an enabling environment where young business owners can thrive, innovate, and contribute to the country’s economic growth,” said Dr. Steven Zwane, Managing Executive for Corporate Citizenship at Absa. "As a longstanding supporter of YAEI, we are proud to welcome more partners and continue our support for youth entrepreneurship in South Africa and across the continent".

The Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) is a flagship initiative by YAEI, designed to bridge the gap between young entrepreneurs and the opportunities they need to enable them in their entrepreneurial ventures. Actively increasing entrepreneurial activity through funding, skills training, and interventions for women and youth entrepreneurs and helping to formalise micro enterprises is at the heart of the programme.

To date, the programme and collaboration has had an immense impact in the sector. This is evidenced in the fact that deserving YAEI beneficiaries attended to the London Investment Week SME immersion last year, providing global exposure to local businesses, while selected YAEI beneficiaries also showcased their businesses at the recent Proudly SA event which took place in March 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Absa’s collaboration with YAEI has impacted over 3300 young innovators over the last 2 years. .

“The 2025 iteration of the YEP, which is being launched today, Friday, 28 March 2025, as part of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme Investment Summit. The platform is aimed at fostering a collaborative approach towards innovation, facilitating investment, and driving sustainable youth entrepreneurship development in South Africa. This landmark event brings together a dynamic ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and policymakers, all committed to unlocking the potential of young entrepreneurs,” said Risuna Maluleke, CEO of YAEI.

Through the Youth Entrepreneurship Tour, Youth Entrepreneurship Skills Programme, Emerging30 Innovators Programme and the Youth Entrepreneurship Week, the programme aims to create a strong pipeline of future business leaders.

"At YAEI, we believe that the future of Africa’s socio-economic development lies in the hands of young entrepreneurs. The continued implementation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme remains symbolic of our mission towards building a sustainable movement to equip young entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and financial tools to scale their enterprises," added Maluleke. “We are honoured to have Absa, WRSETA, the universities and TVET Colleges continue to support the work we do. We also welcome SEDFA, NDA and the Provincial Departments of Economic Development as new partners in this journey of economic inclusion. And of course we are looking forward to more partnerships towards the course.”

“As part of YEP, there will be a series of interventions and workshops throughout 2025 and we encourage all South Africans to get involved and help drive youth entrepreneurship in our communities”, concluded Dr Zwane.