Strengthening youth entrepreneurship and employability across Africa

The Next Economy

Program engaged young people in Nigeria, Mali, Somalia and Somaliland, with a mission to unlock their potential, build their confidence and equip them with the essential skills required for successful careers or entrepreneurial ventures. The program ran from 2016 to 2023 and was developed and executed with diverse local partners and a consortium of partners in the Netherlands, and funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This website is a celebration of our collaborative efforts and aims to showcase the successes of our youth community, TNE’s holistic model and approach, and insights harvested over eight years of impactful activities.

Program

The Next Economy responded to the diverse goals of young African job seekers, guiding them toward careers in employment or entrepreneurship. Over 6-months, participants were immersed in a deeply contextualized learning environment combining practical training and real-world opportunities, developed in collaboration with local partners.

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Success Stories

Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier

Kyimya Andrew, a Nigerian, Jos-based fashion entrepreneur and creative director of Kyimya’yah Atelier, transformed her passion into a flourishing business. After experiencing financial struggles, The Next Economy training by Black Innovations Africa provided business insights, enhancing financial management and fostering business growth. Kyimya's brand graces national runways, with aspirations to expand into bridal gowns and mentor aspiring designers.

Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey

Vincent, an agro-entrepreneur in Abuja, joined the Next Economy program at Aspilos Foundation in 2021 to merge his agricultural and digital marketing interests. After completing the program and graphic design training through the Alumni Community, he's ready for internships as a graphic designer.

Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires

Rita, Valiant Confectioneries' CEO in Jos, faced financial obstacles in her food startup, including pricing, imposter syndrome, and financial management challenges. Black Innovations Africa's entrepreneurship training enhanced her confidence, customer strategies, and financial management, reviving her business.

Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success

Follow Osman Mursal's inspiring journey from job seeker to thriving entrepreneur in Somalia. Guided by The Next Economy, Osman's internship experience leads him to discover a market opportunity that he seizes with his own accountancy company. Witness the power of practising innovative thinking, and Osman's own vision of reducing unemployment and empowering fellow TNE graduates.

Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen

Mohamed, a business administration graduate from Hargeisa, overcame unemployment through The Next Economy program. He established Billan Canteen, offering diverse and delicious food. Crowdfunding initial seed money helped with growing his business, which led to more job creation and plans for regional expansion.

Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story

Mubarak, a young man aspiring to work in logistics struggled to secure a job until he joined The Next Economy (TNE). Through TNE's life skills training and alumni support, he gained vital skills, prepared for interviews with TNE's partner SOS, and attained his career goal. TNE's community and resources played a crucial role in his success.

Gender Inclusivity

Young women encounter greater challenges in securing employment and succeeding in business. To address this inequity, TNE incorporated a range of strategies to make sure that participants, project staff, and businesses were better equipped to support young women participants’ transitions to work and business. These initiatives helped raise awareness of the issues that women face, and supported organizations to solve them.

Resources

Unlock the potential of young entrepreneurs and job seekers with TNE’s curated learning resources. Built on extensive program experience, these curated resources offer a blend of active learning techniques, gender-sensitive approaches, and practical tools. We welcome you to read and download them.

TNE Map for Youth entrepreneurship and employability centres

Jobs Created

Startups Strengthened

Youth Skilled

Women Empowered

0 %

Business Hubs Enhanced

Money Crowdfunded

$ 0

The Next Economy

The Next Economy

Program

Self-Determined Career Pathway

Holistic Skills Development

Practical Experience and Opportunities

Community and Network Building

Innovative Financing

Success Stories

Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier

Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier

Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey

Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey

Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires

Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires

Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success

Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success

Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen

Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen

Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story

Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story

Gender Inclusivity

Resources

Jobs Created

Startups Strengthened

Youth Skilled

Women Empowered

Business Hubs Enhanced

Money Crowdfunded

The Next Economy

The Next Economy

Program

Self-Determined Career Pathway

Holistic Skills Development

Practical Experience and Opportunities

Community and Network Building

Innovative Financing

Success Stories

Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier

Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier

Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey

Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey

Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires

Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires

Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success

Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success

Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen

Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen

Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story

Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story

Gender Inclusivity​

Resources

Jobs Created

Startups Strengthened

Youth Skilled

Women Empowered

Business Hubs Enhanced

Money Crowdfunded

Gender Inclusivity