Absa and NID Training Empower Youth with Disabilities Through Entrepreneurship
Absa and NID Training Empower Youth with Disabilities Through Entrepreneurship. In a landmark initiative promoting inclusive economic growth, Absa, in partnership with the National Institute for Development and Training NPC (NID Training NPC), celebrated the graduation of young people with disabilities from the NID EmpowerAbility Programme. The ceremony, held at Johannesburg Stadium, marked the completion of an intensive training journey designed to equip participants with entrepreneurial skills, digital capabilities, and pathways to economic inclusion.
The graduation forms part of a national rollout, recognizing 50 graduates across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, and the Western Cape. The programme aligns with Absa’s Corporate Citizenship strategy, which emphasizes financial inclusion through entrepreneurship and skills development.
South Africa continues to face challenges in ensuring equitable access to education and employment for persons with disabilities. Many remain excluded from formal schooling and skills development opportunities, limiting their participation in the economy. The EmpowerAbility Programme seeks to bridge this gap by offering inclusive, demand-led training, mentorship, and post-programme support.
Over 84 days, participants engaged in modules covering business planning, budgeting, customer service, and digital tools. The programme culminated in entrepreneurial pitches and showcases, with each graduate receiving seed funding to launch their own micro-enterprise.
Madoda Hlongwane, Absa’s applied measurements reporting and advocacy lead, emphasized the importance of meaningful participation: “For us at Absa, empowerment is not about ticking boxes, it is about creating real, measurable pathways into the economy. Programmes like EmpowerAbility are designed to ensure that young people with disabilities are not just included, but are equipped to compete, contribute and build sustainable livelihoods.”
Beyond technical skills, the programme focused on building confidence, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. By integrating ICT and entrepreneurship, it aligns with growing sectors of the economy, creating relevant opportunities for young people entering the workforce or starting ventures.
Hlongwane added: “We cannot solve unemployment and exclusion in isolation. It takes intentional partnerships to build ecosystems that support skills development, enterprise creation and access to opportunity.”
The EmpowerAbility Programme not only contributes to reducing youth unemployment but also strengthens communities by enabling participants to become active contributors to the broader economy. As graduates step forward, the initiative reinforces Absa’s commitment to being #HereForTheReady, equipping young people with the tools and opportunities to shape their futures.
