Empowering Southern Africa’s Youth In Business
The South African Youth Chamber of Commerce (SAYCC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 2000 to empower and support youth entrepreneurs across Southern Africa. We exist to amplify the voice of young business leaders and ensure their inclusion in the region’s economic development. SAYCC acts as a vital bridge between youth entrepreneurs, government, and industry stakeholders—creating space for collaboration, dialogue, and opportunity. Through strategic partnerships and advocacy, we represent the interests of youth in entrepreneurship and help shape policies that foster a more inclusive and dynamic economy.
Our programs offer a wide range of support, including mentorship, business development, training, and access to essential networks and resources. We are committed to building a thriving ecosystem where youth-led enterprises can innovate, grow sustainably, and contribute meaningfully to society. By removing barriers and creating pathways to participation, SAYCC empowers young people to become active drivers of economic change. Our core mission is to ensure that the youth not only benefit from economic growth but are also at the forefront of creating it—building a future where the business landscape is shaped by the energy, vision, and resilience of the next generation.
Our Main Focus
The South African Youth Chamber of Commerce’s main focus is to empower young entrepreneurs by providing them with a unified voice, access to economic opportunities, and the tools needed to build sustainable businesses. Through advocacy, development programs, and strategic partnerships, SAYCC champions youth inclusion in commerce and drives the growth of youth-led enterprises across Southern Africa.
Youth Business Development
We support young entrepreneurs by offering mentorship, business skills training, and strategic guidance. Our programs focus on nurturing innovative ideas and turning them into sustainable ventures. Through collaboration with private and public sectors, we create spaces for youth to access funding, resources, and markets. SAYCC is committed to growing youth-owned enterprises that can compete regionally and globally.
Economic Policy Advocacy
SAYCC plays a vital role in advocating for youth-friendly economic policies. We engage with government, civil society, and business leaders to ensure young voices are included in policy-making processes. Our research-driven advocacy helps shape reforms that enable youth to access economic opportunities. By influencing legislation, we foster an inclusive environment where young entrepreneurs can thrive and lead.
Skills Development & Training
We provide accredited training programs tailored to equip youth with practical and in-demand skills. From financial literacy to digital tools and leadership development, our workshops are designed to enhance employability and entrepreneurial capacity. We collaborate with learning institutions, professionals, and industry experts to deliver impactful learning that empowers youth to drive change in their communities and beyond.
Market Access & Trade
Our chamber links youth businesses with local and international markets. Through expos, trade fairs, and networking events, we showcase youth products and services to broader audiences. SAYCC helps young entrepreneurs understand trade compliance, branding, and export readiness. We aim to bridge the gap between young innovators and market opportunities that drive growth and sustainability.
Innovationn &
Technology Enablement
SAYCC promotes innovation by supporting youth-led tech solutions that solve real-world challenges. We facilitate access to digital tools, startup incubators, and tech hubs. By encouraging youth to adopt emerging technologies, we strengthen their competitive edge in the digital economy. Our goal is to foster a culture of innovation and ensure tech-savvy youth are future-ready.
InclusiveEnterprise Ecosystems
We believe in building ecosystems where youth enterprises flourish—supporting business growth, personal development, community leadership, and social impact. SAYCC connects entrepreneurs to finance, mentorship, policy support, and each other. Our ecosystem approach ensures young people grow businesses into engines of inclusive, sustainable development.
Our Mission Vision and Impact.
At SAYCC, our mission and vision guide everything we do—from empowering young entrepreneurs to shaping inclusive economic policies. We are driven by purpose, inspired by impact, and united by our commitment to youth development. Below are six guiding pillars that reflect our organizational direction, strategic intent, and long-term commitment to youth-led economic transformation.
Championing
Youth Empowerment
We are committed to empowering young entrepreneurs through skills development, mentorship, and business opportunities. Our mission is to position youth at the center of economic transformation by building their capacity and ensuring they lead in creating inclusive, sustainable economies across Southern Africa.
Advancing Inclusive Growth
SAYCC envisions a future where youth are active drivers of national and regional economic development. We promote inclusive growth by actively working to eliminate structural and systemic barriers, and by ensuring youth from all backgrounds have the tools, support, and resources needed to participate meaningfully in economic systems and opportunities.
Policy with Purpose
We influence economic policies that directly affect youth by conducting advocacy, stakeholder dialogue, and strategic representation. SAYCC works with government, civil society, and private sector partners to push for youth-focused reforms that result in real, measurable changes in the business environment for young entrepreneurs.
Building Regional Unity
Our vision extends beyond borders. We foster collaboration between youth in different provinces and Southern African countries to unify their voices, promote knowledge-sharing, and advance a common economic agenda. We believe youth unity is essential for lasting transformation and shared progress.
Empowering
Enterprise Leaders
Our programs nurture entrepreneurial leadership among youth. We help young people turn ideas into viable enterprises with business tools, strategic insights, and network access. We believe successful youth-owned businesses drive long-term socio-economic change.
Driving Sustainable Impact
All SAYCC initiatives are aligned with broader national goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. We track progress, adapt strategies, and scale impact. Our work ensures that youth participation in commerce contributes not just to short-term gains, but to sustainable development across the continent.
Our Impact-Driven Strategy Framework
Our approach follows an Impact-Driven Strategy Framework designed to align youth-focused programs with measurable outcomes. We combine real-time data, research insights, and continuous monitoring to inform agile decision-making. This model ensures that every intervention, partnership, or initiative directly contributes to empowering young entrepreneurs, driving policy influence, and enhancing economic inclusion. It’s more than a model—it’s a roadmap for youth-driven change.
Why Choose South African Youth Chamber of Commerce?
Choosing the South African Youth Chamber of Commerce (SAYCC) means partnering with a trusted voice in youth economic empowerment. With over two decades of experience, SAYCC offers unmatched expertise in policy advocacy, enterprise development, and capacity building for young entrepreneurs. We connect youth to resources, training, networks, and opportunities—ensuring they not only participate in the economy but lead it. SAYCC is where innovation meets action, and youth potential becomes real impact.
Our Operating Principles
- The SAYCC will demonstrate financial responsibility and accountability at all times.
- The SAYCC will advocate policies as aggressively and publicly as possible. The SAYCC will maintain an enthusiastic partnership between its staff and its networks.
- The SAYCC will consult regularly with its members at the local Youth Chambers. The SAYCC committees will host seminars, workshops, roundtable discussions, campaigns and events that are aimed at informing the SAYCC advocacy agenda on the policy gaps that currently exist in the different areas of focus.
- The SAYCC will balance specific industry interests and those of the broader economy in formulating policy positions.The SAYCC will increase membership and strengthen our resource base at all times. The SAYCC will ensure effective and timely communication with its corporate members.
Our Programmes
The South African Youth Chamber of Commerce (SAYCC) is a Youth Economic Empowerment vehicle committed to building a strong foundation for youth participation in the economy. To achieve this, SAYCC focuses on five key programmes:
Youth Economic Advocacy Programme (YEAP)
YEAP amplifies the voice of youth in economic policy discussions by engaging with government and industry stakeholders. It ensures young entrepreneurs are represented and that youth-friendly policies and opportunities are created.Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP)
This programme supports aspiring and existing youth entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and access to business resources. It encourages innovation and helps young people start and grow sustainable businesses.Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP)
YLDP nurtures young leaders by providing leadership training, mentorship, and opportunities to participate in civic and economic development initiatives. It aims to develop responsible, confident, and visionary youth leaders.Youth Skills Transfer Programme (YSTP)
YSTP focuses on equipping young people with practical and relevant skills through training, internships, and learnerships. It helps bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring youth are job-ready or prepared to start their own ventures.Youth Business Education Programme (YBEP)
YBEP provides youth with essential business knowledge, including financial literacy, business planning, and digital tools. The programme aims to build a strong foundation for smart, sustainable, and growth-oriented entrepreneurship.
Solutions
Integrity
Empowering
Quality
Get a Free Consultation
Like what you see? Contact us and let’s beat your case
Leadership
President of South African Youth Chamber of Commerce– Thapelo Maleke
The South African Youth Chamber of Commerce (SAYCC), under the leadership of Group CEO Thapelo Maleke, is a pioneering force in youth economic empowerment and enterprise development. Supporting this vision is Padington Mahuku, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, Registered Auditor, and Tax Practitioner. With a prestigious career that includes global experience at Ernst & Young in South Africa and the UK, Mahuku brings deep expertise in audit, business advisory, and consulting. His work spans both private and public sectors, including key roles within government entities at local, provincial, and national levels—making him a valuable asset to SAYCC’s mission of inclusive economic transformation.