The Absa Youth Entrepreneurship Fund (AYEF), funded by Absa through its CSI Trust and implemented by Tshiamo Foundation, provides grant funding and business development support to young entrepreneurs in South Africa.

The programme supports black-owned, early-stage businesses, from entrepreneurs developing viable business ideas to businesses with early market traction and established young enterprises preparing for further growth.

AYEF combines financial assistance with mentorship, business development, market access opportunities and connections to the broader Absa entrepreneurship ecosystem. Its aim is to strengthen business sustainability, support enterprise development and encourage job creation among South African youth.

Funding and Support

The programme provides conditional, non-repayable grants released in phases against agreed business plans and milestones. The grants do not require repayment, and AYEF takes no equity in participating businesses.

Additional support includes:

• One-on-one strategic and founder support.
• Financial management and governance strengthening.
• Leadership and management development.
• Business model development and customer discovery.
• Market access opportunities.
• Peer learning and connections within the Absa entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Potential pathways into Absa Business Banking, SME Banking and development finance channels.

The programme also introduces a Social Impact Payback concept, encouraging entrepreneurs to contribute to the wider entrepreneurship ecosystem through mentorship, skills sharing and community initiatives. This is a voluntary community reinvestment concept, not a financial repayment obligation.

Purpose and Objectives

The Fund aims to:

• Help young entrepreneurs start, develop and sustain viable businesses.
• Improve business sustainability, commercial readiness and revenue growth.
• Strengthen entrepreneurial and management capabilities.
• Expand access to markets, networks and business development opportunities.
• Encourage job creation and wider economic participation among South African youth.
• Build a supportive entrepreneurship ecosystem through shared learning and community reinvestment.

Priority Areas or Scope of Work

The programme supports early-stage entrepreneurship across three concurrent business development stages:

• Ideation: Entrepreneurs developing a viable business idea or working towards validating their concept.
• Start-up: Businesses progressing towards commercialisation, early traction and more established operations.
• Early Growth: Businesses preparing to grow, expand market access and strengthen operational capacity.

Applicants are placed into the relevant stage through the selection process, based on founder readiness and business maturity.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the programme's eligibility requirements:

• Be a young South African entrepreneur aged 18–35.
• Operate a black-owned, early-stage business based in South Africa.
• Be building a viable business with potential for sustainability and growth.
• Demonstrate entrepreneurial commitment and potential to create employment and contribute to their communities.
• Be willing to participate in the programme's business development activities, meet agreed milestones and provide progress updates linked to phased grant releases.

The programme accommodates businesses at different stages, from viable ideas and early traction to enterprises preparing for further growth.

Selected entrepreneurs are also expected to participate in programme activities and contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem through the Social Impact Payback concept.

Geographic Scope

South Africa.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: 31 October 2026, 23:59.
• Screening, assessment and verification: November–December 2026.
• Cohort confirmation, contracting and onboarding: January–February 2027.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Application Process

Applicants must complete and submit the official online application form.

The selection process includes screening, assessment and verification. Successful applicants will be placed into the programme stage that best matches their business maturity and founder readiness.

Selected entrepreneurs must participate actively, work towards agreed milestones and provide progress updates in line with the programme's requirements.

For enquiries, contact absayef@tshiamoimpact.com.

Industry / Sector

Youth entrepreneurship; enterprise development; small business development; business support; job creation; economic empowerment.

Click HERE to visit the official website.