Government Launches Peo Pele Youth Fund to Expand Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs
South Africa has taken another step towards strengthening youth entrepreneurship with the launch of the Peo Pele Youth Fund, a new government initiative aimed at improving access to finance and integrated business support for youth-owned enterprises.
Launched by the Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, during the Youth Day Commemoration in the Free State, the Fund forms part of government's broader commitment to advancing economic participation among young people by supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and enterprise development.
Investing in Youth-Led Businesses
Over the next three years, government plans to invest approximately R900 million through the Peo Pele Youth Fund, with around 750 youth-owned enterprises expected to benefit. The programme is also projected to create or sustain approximately 1,500 jobs, contributing to inclusive economic growth while supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Recognising that entrepreneurs require more than access to finance, the Fund combines concessionary funding with business development support, mentorship, technical assistance, and market access. This integrated approach seeks to provide support throughout the entrepreneurial journey, acknowledging that businesses have different needs depending on their stage of development.
Supporting South Africa's Future Growth Sectors
The Fund will prioritise youth-owned businesses operating in sectors expected to drive South Africa's future economy, including:
- Digital technologies
- Green economy
- Agri-tech
- Advanced manufacturing
- Health and biotechnology
- Creative industries
- Blue economy
- Circular economy
By focusing on these high-growth sectors, the initiative aims to stimulate innovation while enabling young entrepreneurs to participate in industries with significant long-term growth potential.
More Than Funding
The launch also reinforces an important message for the entrepreneurial ecosystem: sustainable business growth requires an enabling environment that extends beyond financial support.
Alongside access to affordable finance, successful applicants may benefit from training programmes, mentorship, business advisory services, and a capital repayment moratorium of up to 12 months, providing businesses with additional time to establish themselves before repayments begin.
The Fund will be implemented in collaboration with ecosystem partners, including the National Youth Development Agency, the Technology Innovation Agency, universities, incubators, and other entrepreneurship support organisations to ensure entrepreneurs receive coordinated support throughout their growth journey.
A Call for Young Entrepreneurs
Applications for the Peo Pele Youth Fund are now open and will remain open for two months. Young entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas or growing enterprises are encouraged to explore the opportunity and determine whether the programme aligns with their business needs.
As South Africa continues to prioritise entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth, initiatives such as the Peo Pele Youth Fund demonstrate the importance of combining finance, capability development, and ecosystem partnerships to help young businesses scale, create employment, and contribute meaningfully to the country's future economy.
Editorial Note: This article has been prepared by the Innovation Bridge Portal based on publicly available information from the keynote address delivered by the Minister of Small Business Development at the launch of the Peo Pele Youth Fund. For the full speech, visit the South African Government website
