Johannesburg, South Africa – 30 May 2025 – As South Africa prepares to mark Youth Month this June, a time to honour the courage and contributions of the 1976 generation, Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking, in partnership with the GIBS Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA), has opened applications for the 2025 Youth Forward Programme. The initiative is designed to empower 50 black youth-owned businesses with the tools and support needed to drive sustainable growth in today’s tough economic climate.
This comes at a critical moment for South Africa’s young population. According to Statistics South Africa, the youth unemployment rate (ages 15–34) surged to 46.1% in Q1 2025, up from 44.6% the previous quarter. Even more concerning, 62.4% of youth aged 15–24 are unemployed. These figures underscore the urgency of inclusive programmes that address the barriers young people face in accessing economic opportunities.
Youth Month commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising, a turning point in the struggle for equality in education. Today, it stands as a national call to action to invest in youth development and enable their full participation in South Africa’s economy.
“Youth Month is not only a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our young people but also to invest in their future,” says Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise Development at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa. “Through the Youth Forward Programme, we aim to transform the entrepreneurial landscape for black youth, equipping them with the skills, networks, and resources to build sustainable businesses.”
“We are excited to continue working with Standard Bank to unlock the potential of young entrepreneurs,” adds Ms. Guinivere Pedro – Senior Programme Manager for the GIBS Entrepreneurship Development Academy. “This programme equips participants with practical tools and strategic thinking to sustain and grow their businesses.”
The programme is open to entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, running businesses with at least 51% black ownership and a minimum of R100,000 in annual revenue. Applicants must be South African citizens with registered businesses that have been in operation for at least 12 months. While the programme blends online and in-person learning, preference is given to entrepreneurs in Gauteng and surrounding provinces due to the location of physical sessions in Johannesburg.
Participants will benefit from structured business training, mentorship, and access to a network of peers and industry leaders.
This programme forms part of Standard Bank BCB’s broader commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship. It is one of the bank’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes, which provide essential support aimed at enabling more township entrepreneurs to start, manage, and grow SMMEs, contributing meaningfully to South Africa’s development.
If you are a young entrepreneur ready to scale your business, this is your chance. Apply now and be part of a generation driving South Africa’s economic renewal. Applications close on 3 June 2025 and can be completed HERE (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HWQCWSP).
Whip Chu
Polo Leteka always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but couldn\’t quite decide on which direction to go in. She spent several years in the private and public sectors, and during her tenure in Government she knew she wanted to have a greater impact on helping South Africans follow their dreams by becoming entrepreneurs. She launched Capital Partners, an SME enterprise advisory and fund managing service firm. She brought two partners into the business to expand the services they could offer. Leteka went on to become one of the \”dragons\’ on the South African edition of Dragons\’ Den, investing in start-up businesses.