How children as young as nine are tackling South Africa's unemployment crisis through entrepreneurship
Children as young as nine are stepping up to create real businesses, guided by entrepreneurs.
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South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is driving a remarkable counter-movement: children as young as nine are launching real businesses under the guidance of experienced entrepreneurs and investors.
This emerging trend is a direct response to a deepening national crisis where around 60% of 18 to 24-year-olds are jobless, nearly double the rate seen a decade ago. The unemployment figures are staggering, with 60% of young people aged 18 to 24 without work in the first quarter of 2025, according to Statistics South Africa.
This challenge is compounded by a persistent skills mismatch. Employers continue to report that recent graduates and new entrants to the workforce lack foundational practical abilities, including problem-solving, financial literacy, and communication. A 2023 study by the Department of Higher Education and Training rated these fundamental skills as “very poor” among TVET college graduates.
To address this disconnect, Koa Academy has launched a free, five-week virtual Entrepreneurship Challenge for all South African learners aged 9 to 16. The programme moves beyond classroom theory, offering hands-on experience that requires students to set correct pricing, size their market, identify competition, and articulate their unique selling propositions (USPs). The aim is to instill future-ready skills like resilience and creative thinking, which businesses predict will see 73% demand growth over the next five years.
Abena Opeibea Anie-Budu, a Venture Partner at MEST Africa and one of the 2026 challenge judges, emphasised the power of this early exposure. “Learning how to build a business and clearly pitch its value transforms a concept into something others can believe in,” she said.
“Giving young people the opportunity to learn and practise these skills early is incredibly powerful, building both confidence and strong public speaking abilities”. She added that this real-world exposure provides a meaningful advantage “not just in business, but in how they approach opportunities and challenges more broadly”.
The fully virtual challenge guides students through a structured journey, from spotting a problem in the community to building and piloting an initial version of a business idea. Participants receive live group coaching from an experienced entrepreneur and are paired with a dedicated mentor throughout the five weeks.
The initiative has already produced successful, ongoing ventures. Past participants have created sustainable businesses, including skincare lines, food brands, and fashion companies. Nia Kinuthi (Kenya) turned her hobby into the sustainable brand Nani Knits and improved her confidence in pitching and responding to critique.
Meanwhile, South African sisters Anna and Cleopatra Achiambo, founders of Snacks by Sissies, learned to budget and pitch, discovering that entrepreneurship “isn't just a grown-ups' thing”.
To participate in Koa’s Free Online Entrepreneurship Challenge 2026 visit their website.