South African Young Entrepreneur Honoured as Anzisha Launches 2026 Fellowship Applications

As Africa looks to its youth to power the continent’s economic transformation, the Anzisha Prize has once again spotlighted the next generation of changemakers. The organisation announced that applications for its 2026 Anzisha Prize Fellowship will open on 7 October, following the conclusion of the 2025 Entrepreneurship Education in Africa Summit in Johannesburg.

The fellowship, which supports Africa’s youngest founders with venture-building tools, mentorship, and leadership development, aims to help entrepreneurs grow sustainable businesses that create jobs and strengthen local economies.

Hosted at the African Leadership Academy, the summit gathered educators, policymakers, investors, and business leaders to explore best practices in entrepreneurship education. The event culminated in the Anzisha Awards Gala, where four exceptional entrepreneurs under the age of 25 were recognised for their achievements each receiving a $10,000 award.

Rising Entrepreneur from South Africa Recognised

Among the honourees was Cebolenkosi Gcabashe (22), founder of G Khula Trading in KwaZulu-Natal, who received the Revenue Growth Award for transforming a single high-pressure cleaner into a thriving property services business.

Other winners included Nigeria’s Bunmi Esther Olalude, who earned the Job Creation Award for empowering women and youth; Zimbabwe’s Tafadzwa Manyanye, who won the Systems of Delivery Award for building efficient agricultural services; and Nigeria’s Christianah Madu, who received the Storytelling Award for raising the visibility of her venture through impactful communication.

Youth Entrepreneurship: The Blueprint for Africa’s Future

Throughout the summit, panel discussions and breakout sessions explored how young entrepreneurs are redefining Africa’s future of work. Conversations focused on bridging the gap between education and employment, recognising informal innovation, and expanding financing opportunities for overlooked founders.

In her closing address, Anzisha Managing Editor Didi Onwu urged a fundamental shift in mindset about entrepreneurship.

“Youth entrepreneurship isn’t the backup plan, it’s the blueprint. For too long, we have treated entrepreneurship as plan B, the path we take when ‘the real’ systems fail you. But this summit is a reminder that youth-led enterprise isn’t what happens when things go wrong; it’s what happens when young people take control of their futures,” she said.

Applications for the 2026 Anzisha Fellowship Open 7 October

Since its inception in 2011, Anzisha has supported nearly 300 young entrepreneurs from across Africa. The multi-year fellowship offers funding, mentorship, and peer learning opportunities to help participants grow their ventures sustainably while creating meaningful employment.

The 2026 Anzisha Prize Fellowship is open to entrepreneurs aged 15 to 22 running ventures based in Africa. Successful applicants will join a vibrant network of innovators and compete for a shared prize pool of $50,000.

Anzisha’s broader mission extends beyond funding. Through research, advocacy, and storytelling, the initiative seeks to influence policymakers, educators, and investors to create a more supportive environment for young African founders.

Its popular YouTube series, The Journey, showcases the realities of very young entrepreneurs and the communities they are transforming, offering a rare glimpse into the resilience and creativity driving Africa’s future economy.