A virtual entrepreneurship programme for learners aged 9 to 16 is introducing practical business training at the primary school level.
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WITH youth unemployment in South Africa reaching approximately 60% among 18- to 24-year-olds as of early 2025, according to Statistics South Africa (StatsSA), a skills mismatch is increasingly cited as a contributing factor.
A 2023 study by the Department of Higher Education and Training on employer perceptions of TVET college graduates rated foundational competencies — including reading, writing, numeracy, speaking, oral and written comprehension, and computer skills — as very poor.
Against this backdrop, a virtual entrepreneurship programme for learners aged 9 to 16 is introducing practical business training at the primary school level.
The Koa Academy Online Entrepreneurship Challenge, a free five-week virtual programme, guides participants through identifying market opportunities, developing business models, and presenting proposals to industry evaluators.
The curriculum includes weekly live coaching sessions and self-paced coursework focused on skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, and financial literacy. Industry analyses project a 73% increase in demand for these competencies over the next five years.
Participants receive mentorship from founders, investors, and business executives. The programme structure emphasises iterative development: students build prototypes, receive feedback, refine their approaches, and conclude with a formal pitch to a panel of industry professionals.
“Learning how to build a business and clearly pitch its value transforms a concept into something others can believe in. Giving young people the opportunity to learn and practice these skills early is incredibly powerful, building both confidence and strong public speaking abilities,” says Abena Opeibea Anie-Budu, Venture Partner at MEST Africa and one of the 2026 Entrepreneurship Challenge judges, alongside Pargo co-founder Lars Veul and Koa Academy co-founder and chief executive, Lauren Anderson. “Practical skills and real-world exposure give young people a meaningful advantage — not just in business, but in how they approach opportunities and challenges more broadly.”
The challenge operates on a structured weekly framework. Each participant attends a one-hour live group coaching session led by an experienced entrepreneur, supplemented by individual mentorship from an assigned advisor.
An additional hour per week is allocated to self-paced online coursework covering business fundamentals. By programme completion, each student develops a business pitch presentation, delivers it to an expert panel, receives formal feedback, and pilots an initial version of their proposed venture.
Beyond business-specific outcomes, the curriculum targets transferable competencies: critical analysis, resilience, communication, and financial reasoning. Participants are taught to identify community needs, evaluate existing solutions, and design actionable responses. Past participants have launched operational ventures in skincare, food production, and sustainable fashion that continue post-programme.
Documented outcomes from previous cohorts include:
Industry professionals serve as judges, guest speakers, and mentors throughout the programme. Confirmed judges for the 2026 edition include Lars Veul, co-founder of Pargo; Abena Opeibea Anie-Budu, venture partner at MEST Africa; and Anderson.
Guest entrepreneurs scheduled for live sessions include Kylie Lai King, founder of wellness brand Sanrae; Milan Rendall, founder of The Bowling Club; and Danei Rall, co-founder of Fintr. These individuals will also provide one-on-one mentorship to top performers as part of the prize allocation.
Recognition is awarded across junior and senior categories for winners and runners-up. Prizes include cash awards, mentorship access, business development support, and brand-building assistance.
Registration for the Koa Online Entrepreneurship Challenge is open from April 1, until May 10. There is no participation fee. Programme alumni have launched verifiable business ventures following completion of the curriculum.