The Foundation for Youth Initiatives (FYI), in partnership with the Cooperative Bank and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, successfully launched the Orange Corner Innovation Fund (OCIF) yesterday in South Sudan. Under the theme “Empowering Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs to Unleash Their Entrepreneurial Potential,” the event brought together key stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, business leaders, financial institutions, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of financing startups in the country.
The launch featured opening remarks from distinguished guests who highlighted the significance of the OCIF in fostering innovation and economic growth among young entrepreneurs. Speakers included Professor John Jal Wang, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FYI; Deputy Ambassador Bouwe Jan Smeding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Muhammad Shahin, Representative from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO); Justo Wani Jada, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba; and Albino Gaw, CEO of FYI. Each speaker emphasized the importance of accessible funding, mentorship, and policy support to create an enabling environment for startups in South Sudan.
A key highlight of the event was an interactive panel discussion on access to finance for startups, where industry leaders and entrepreneurs shared insights and experiences on securing funding and scaling businesses. The panel featured a Representative from Cooperative Bank, the CEO of Ubuntu Company Limited, a Member of Cohort One of the OCIAC Training Program, and a Representative from OCIAC. The discussion provided practical guidance on financial opportunities available for startups, strategies for business sustainability, and the role of financial institutions in supporting young entrepreneurs.
The event was well attended by young entrepreneurs from both Cohort One and Cohort Two of the OCIAC training program, who engaged in networking sessions aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. It also received extensive coverage from various media houses, further amplifying the importance of youth entrepreneurship in South Sudan.
With the successful launch of the Orange Corner Innovation Fund (OCIF), the initiative is set to play a vital role in supporting young entrepreneurs by providing financial resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help bring their business ideas to life.
