Young Entrepreneurs Lead Africa’s Economic Transformation
Africa’s Youth: The Architects of a New Economy
Young entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Africa’s next wave of economic growth. While others see obstacles, these innovators see opportunity — transforming challenges into blueprints for progress. With the right networks, knowledge, and skills, they are reshaping communities, creating jobs, and redefining the continent’s future.
Anzisha 2026 Fellowship Applications Open 7 October
Following the conclusion of the 2025 Entrepreneurship Education in Africa Summit, Anzisha has announced that applications for its 2026 Fellowship will open on 7 October.
The Fellowship supports Africa’s youngest founders with venture-building assistance, coaching, and a peer community that spans the continent. The goal: to help young leaders scale their businesses, sharpen leadership skills, and create sustainable employment.
A Summit for Collaboration and Change
Hosted at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, the summit brought together educators, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to share best practices in entrepreneurship education.
The event culminated in the Anzisha Awards Gala, where four trailblazing entrepreneurs under 25 were recognised for their impact — each receiving $10,000 in recognition of their achievements.
Honouring Africa’s Brightest Young Founders
- Cebolenkosi Gcabashe (22) – Revenue Growth Award
Founder of G Khula Trading in KwaZulu-Natal, Gcabashe turned a single high-pressure cleaner into a thriving property services company. - Bunmi Esther Olalude (Nigeria) – Job Creation Award
Honoured for empowering women and youth through her enterprise and expanding employment opportunities. - Tafadzwa Manyanye (Zimbabwe) – Systems of Delivery Award
Recognised for building efficient and scalable agricultural services in rural communities. - Christianah Madu (Nigeria) – Storytelling Award
Celebrated for amplifying her venture’s visibility through impactful communication.
Youth Entrepreneurship: The Blueprint for Africa’s Future
The summit’s discussions explored the shifting landscape of Africa’s youth-led economy — from bridging the gap between education and work to recognising informal enterprise as innovation rather than failure.
In her closing remarks, Anzisha Managing Editor Didi Onwu challenged the status quo:
“Youth entrepreneurship isn’t the backup plan, it’s the blueprint. For too long, we’ve treated entrepreneurship as plan B — something you do when ‘real systems’ fail. This summit reminds us that youth-led enterprise is what happens when young people take control of their futures.”
Building Sustainable Businesses Across Africa
Since its inception in 2011, Anzisha has supported nearly 300 young entrepreneurs across Africa. The multi-year fellowship provides funding, mentorship, and peer learning opportunities designed to help ventures grow sustainably and create lasting community impact.
The 2026 Fellowship is open to applicants aged 15–22 who are currently running ventures in Africa. Successful candidates will join a network of changemakers and compete for a shared prize pool of $50,000.
Storytelling as a Tool for Transformation
Anzisha continues to influence policymakers and educators through research, advocacy, and storytelling. Its YouTube series, The Journey, documents the lived experiences of very young entrepreneurs and the communities they’re transforming.
About Anzisha
Anzisha is a multi-year fellowship for very young African entrepreneurs aged 15–22. Since 2011, it has worked to make entrepreneurship a first-choice career path by backing youth-led, job-creating ventures. Through partnerships, education, and storytelling, Anzisha empowers young people to redefine what work looks like on the continent.
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