The Hustle-Economy programme focus is a direct response to the consistent request from our community partners for enterprise development support. The Programme recognizes that 70% of Southern and East Africa’s school leavers will work within the informal economy, with the majority juggling ad hoc work opportunities with multiple personal and family micro-enterprises. The Hustle Economy programme is linked to our Thriving Communities key outcome which has a focus on nurturing sustainable job creation and small business development, with emphasis on youth and female empowerment. Our focus currently is on working with emerging micro-entrepreneurs in the Maputaland and Greater Kruger landscapes, with emphasis on improving their business skills, capacity and profitability. Africa Foundation and &Beyond are working towards expanding the programme across all landscapes and seascapes.
Hustle is a word that typically means different things to different people, but whisper it on the streets of a rural village or township and it means just one thing – opportunity! The informal or “Hustle Economy” offers 1 out of 6 South African’s a chance at earning an income in areas where formal sector jobs are just not available. Hustling for a living or having one (or several) side-hustles has become the informal sector’s answer to some form of job security in a market riddled with unemployment and lack of opportunity. Africans are the quintessential entrepreneurs and have always used whatever skills they have at their disposal to eke out a living whether as farmers, herders, crafters, artisans or micro-business owners.
The Hustle Economy programme has a core focus around United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 – No Poverty and Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth. SDG 1 has a key focus to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. SDG 8 has a key focus to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
The Hustle Economy Programme provides relevant support for different “tiers” of hustle-preneurs, whether they be inexperienced and aspirational start-ups, established retailers such as crafters, or contractors that are running established businesses and have employees. These hustle-preneurs are the foundation of the local economies, complementing formal employment opportunities which are usually limited. Africa Foundation has traditionally supported enterprise development and the sustainability of income generation in three primary ways:
By providing business support and mentorship
By increasing business skills and employability of local entrepreneurs
By improving productivity and access to markets for local farmers
Community jobs created
Construction enterprises
Commercial farms
Craft
markets
Other small businesses
Vegetable gardens
The Hustle Economy Micro-Enterprise Support Programme (Hustle Economy Programme) is an intervention that supports emerging micro-entrepreneurs or “hustle-preneurs” across the Africa Foundation community footprint.
Africa Foundation has traditionally facilitated local business development by working with local contractors, smallholder farmers and crafters to develop their product quality, financial and business literacy, infrastructure and access to market.
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