MTN is backing tech entrepreneurs through New Generation Mindset programme

South African teleco giant MTN is going the extra mile to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. That’s apart from the pan-African company’s commitment to pour in US$400-million into Africa and the Middle East’s startups, it’s recently announced a multi-million rand innovation deal with the UCT Graduate School of Business.

Now — with the backing of the New Generation Mindset programme — MTN Business is looking for young, black entrepreneurs in South Africa who want to contribute to the growth of South Africa’s knowledge-based economy.

Read more: MTN, UCT’s Graduate School of Business whip up R15m innovation deal

“Our programme is aligned with the National Development Plan’s goals of addressing poverty alleviation and real empowerment by creating a new class of young, black entrepreneurs,” Alpheus Mangale, the CEO at MTN Business says in a press statement. “As a leader in the technology sector we’re in a prime position to leverage our technical expertise and national footprint to develop skills and small enterprises that have the potential to grow into larger, sustainable businesses.”

According to the presser, the supplier development programme has a three-year goal which seeks to develop 60 small businesses from startup to self-sufficiency.

NGM will provide basic business support services to incubated companies while simultaneously developing the entrepreneurs’ business management skills in all aspects of operating a business.

“With the advent of the Internet and the rapid rate of technological advances, ICT skills have become a crucial component in building any business,” adds Mangale. “We believe that this crop of young entrepreneurs can make an invaluable contribution to making hundreds of small businesses around the country more efficient and competitive.”

For more information on the programme, see the website here.

Image via Destiny Man