Absa Bank Ghana has launched the Future Fueled Youth Festival to support upcoming business owners.
The event, which was held at the British Council in Accra during Mr. Sydney Mbhele, Absa Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer. It was a part of the bank’s larger initiative to empower young people, which emphasized innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
In his remarks at the festival, Mr. Mbhele emphasized Absa’s banking strategy of putting people first. We invest in people, not just open accounts.
When we say ‘Your Story Matters’, we mean it. “We see an agent of change, a builder of ideas, and a storyteller shaping the future in every entrepreneur,” he stated.
For a day of practical learning, engagement, and networking, the festival brought together students, start-ups, and key players from Ghana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Activities included an innovation showcase and a panel discussion on the journey from idea to impact.
Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Absa Ghana, highlighted the bank’s commitment to youth development.
“We are very committed to supporting the dreams and ideas of young entrepreneurs. That support goes beyond finance. It starts with capacity building, skills development, and advisory support to help them thrive,” she said.
The panel shared insights on building sustainable businesses, with emphasis on market research, minimum viable products (MVPs), learning from failure, and adapting to local conditions.
Elselund Ewudzie-Sampson, an entrepreneur, shared her journey from grocery delivery to founding Big Samps Market.
She credited a GHS 200,000 grant from Absa Ghana as pivotal to scaling her business.
“That grant changed everything. It allowed me to rebrand, hire new staff, and restructure the business for scale. Absa Bank’s support helped me move from survival to growth,” she said.
The Future Fuelled Youth Festival forms part of Absa’s ongoing contribution to financial literacy and entrepreneurship, offering a space for young founders to connect, share insights, and access resources for long-term success.
Source: myghanadaily
