Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, one of the continent’s largest youth economic empowerment organisations, has revealed that every dollar invested in its youth yields an economic return of over $20.
The disclosure was made on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the JA Africa Company of the Year (COY) Competition, which ends in Abuja today.
The competition serves as a premier platform for secondary school-aged youth to showcase their business ventures under the theme: “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.”
Student companies from eight African nations, including Nigeria, Eswatini, Ghana, and South Africa, are competing for a chance to represent the continent globally.
JA Africa currently reaches over 1.5 million young people annually across 23 countries, “equipping them with the mindset and skills to navigate the global economy.”
In Nigeria, the organization has already impacted 200,000 secondary school students through its intensive Company Programmes.
Speaking about the resources required for such a massive undertaking, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, explained the financing model.
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“Yes, it costs quite a bit. And thanks to our sponsors at FedEx and many other sponsors who enabled us to have our programming, we’re able to reach young people across Africa,” she said.
Nwogugu clarified that the cost per participant varies depending on the programme’s intensity. “The cost per student varies by program. But overall, if we just do what our budget is divided by what our number of students is, our cost per student is usually within $20 to $25 per student.”
She added that the long-term nature of certain programmes drives up the expense. “A programme like the Company Program where it’s almost a year-long programme that they’re building a business and we’re providing tools and frameworks for them is one of the more expensive ones than a programme that is a one-day innovation camp, for example.”
The investment in these young entrepreneurs appears to be yielding dividends for the community and society at large. Asheesh Advani, President & CEO of JA Worldwide, cited a research when speaking about the value of these initiatives.
“And based on some of that research, we find the ROI for every dollar invested is over $20 back,” Advani stated. “So it’s a very high return on economic investment for community and for society. So I hope that makes it into your article.”
JA Africa is also pioneering inclusive policies to ensure young people with disabilities are not left behind.”This particular programme, especially in Nigeria, we ask that at least 5 percent, ideally 10 percent of the students be young persons with disabilities,” Mrs. Nwogugu noted.
Recognizing the need for specialised assistance, the organization works collaboratively. “And we partner with organizations that serve that population specifically, knowing that we don’t have the expertise.”
She elaborated on the support provided, confirming a commitment to accessibility for all. “So they are helping us to make sure that we have programmes in braille for visually impaired students, programming for hearing impaired and other disabilities, including the ones you don’t see. So most of the time we talk about disabilities we see, but there are also all kinds of special needs young people as well. So we want to make our program as inclusive as possible.”
The theme of the current competition, “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation,” is positioning youth entrepreneurship as a critical tool for tackling continental challenges.
“At JA Africa, we believe Africa’s greatest resource is the brilliance and creativity of its young people. Climate action is not just an environmental issue; it’s a development imperative,” Nwogugu said.
She noted that COY serves as a vital spark for this talent: “COY gives young people a platform to transform ideas into action, showing the world that Africa’s youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today.”
Advani praised the passion on display at the African finals, saying, “COY in Africa has a unique energy — year after year, students present extraordinary ideas. To succeed as an entrepreneur, you must first believe in yourself. JA builds that self-efficacy, and awards help strengthen that belief.”
The students are competing across six cutting-edge tracks: Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Media and Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy and Sustainability. The ultimate winner will proceed to represent Africa at the Ralph de la Vega Global Entrepreneurship Competition.
