Absa Bank Uganda has entered a three-year partnership with Junior Achievement Uganda (JAU) to equip more than 25,000 young people with practical financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills. The initiative, unveiled this week, targets youth aged 25 and below, with a strong focus on empowering students to translate classroom knowledge into real-world enterprise.
Under the programme, participants will take part in a range of activities including the Company Programme, which allows students to form and run mini-businesses, and innovation and leadership camps designed to boost creativity and problem-solving. Young innovators will also get the chance to compete at the National Company of the Year Awards, where top student-led enterprises will be showcased.
Beyond competitions, the programme introduces job shadowing opportunities and access to Absa’s Ready-to-Work online platform, covering essential modules in financial management, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. Absa employees will play an active role as mentors and trainers, guiding students during workshops, boot camps, and global-themed events such as World Savings Day and Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Speaking at the launch, David Wandera, Managing Director of Absa Bank Uganda, noted that the partnership goes beyond corporate social responsibility. “By empowering young people to manage finances responsibly and start businesses, we are laying the foundation for both personal prosperity and a stronger financial system,” he said.
Rachael Mwagale, Country Director at Junior Achievement Uganda, emphasized that the initiative would not be confined to urban schools alone. It will be rolled out across districts such as Mukono, Mpigi, and Kampala, ensuring wider access to entrepreneurial opportunities.
The programme comes at a time when Uganda’s youthful population continues to grapple with unemployment and limited financial awareness. By bridging the gap between education and practice, the partnership hopes to inspire a new generation of financially literate and innovative entrepreneurs ready to transform their communities.