Access to consultancy and advisory services to structure your business for sustainable growth 

Access to markets through networking to scale up your business

Access to funding to give your business that needed push to reach the next level

  • What you need to know

    • This programme is only available to Absa customers. For new customers you would need to open an account with Absa and fulfil the below requirements.
      • Actively operate a business account with Absa Bank for a minimum of 3 months to qualify for capacity building opportunity.
      • Actively operate a business account with Absa Bank for a minimum of 1 year to qualify for funding.
    • Your business should have the capacity to employ additional staff.
    • You should have identified a successor who is ready to take over the business in your absence as the business owner.
    • You should have no adverse findings from Credit Reference Bureau.

  • Who can apply

    • Women-led MSMEs
    • FinTech businesses
    • Agribusinesses

  • How to apply

    • Simply visit any Absa Bank branch nationwide or speak to your Relationship Manager to sign up for the Absa Young Africa Works Programme.

    Or

    • Click on this link to download, complete and submit the Expression of Interest (EOI) form to YAWProjectTeam1@absa.africa to sign up for the Absa Young Africa Works Programme.

  • 1. What is Absa Young Africa Works (YAW) Project?

    The Young Africa Works (YAW) is a 5-year (2020-2025) strategic partnership between Absa Bank Ghana Ltd and the Mastercard Foundation (MCF) with the goal of creating dignified and fulfilling jobs for young men and women in Ghana.

  • 2. What is the goal of the project?

    To create 50,000 dignified and fulfilling jobs for young men and women by 2025.

  • 3. How does the project seek to achieve this goal?

    Specifically,

    • The project will build the capacity of eligible 5,000 MSMEs and
    • Financially support them with $100 million investment to create 50,000 jobs for the youth, especially women*.

    In addition, these SMEs will receive organisational and behavioural change skills to make them ready to receive funding through Absa’s lending platforms.

    *Subject to the terms and eligibility criteria of the project

  • 4. What are the key focus areas of this project?

    The project key focus areas are:

    • Agribusinesses
    • Women-led businesses
    • FinTechs

  • 5. How does the project support businesses?

    The project supports MSMEs through capacity building and lending. As part of implementing its capacity building mandate, YAW will assign Business Development Service (BDS) providers to these individual MSMEs to identify the gaps in their business operations and proffer tailored training and solutions in addressing them. After the training, these businesses would be further assessed for lending.

  • 6. How can I be eligible for the training?

    Existing Customers of the bank

    1.1 Actively operate a business account with the bank for a minimum of 1 year.

    1.2 Must be a registered business with not less than 2 years of existence in business. 

    1.3 Business must have the capacity to employ additional staff.

    1.4 Must have an identified successor who is ready to take over the business in the absence of the business owner.

    1.5 Must be willing to undergo rigorous YAW training sessions.

    New customers (New to bank – NTB)

    2.1. Must have operated a business account for a minimum of 3 months

    2.2. Point 1.2 to 1.5 applies

  • 7. How can I be eligible for the lending?

    • Ability to demonstrate participation in an entrepreneur and financial management training organized by credible institutions. 
    • Actively operate business account with the bank for a minimum of 1 year or for a determined period at the discretion of the Bank
    • Must be a registered business with not less than 3 years in business. 
    • Must have healthy bank accounts conduct (6-12 months)
    • For new customers 6-12 months bank statement from previous bankers apply.
    • Must have no adverse findings on Credit Reference Bureau

  • 8. What is the interest rate on the loan?

    The interest rate ranges around 25%. However, discussions can be held on these rates.

  • 9. What loan amount can I access?

    Beneficiaries can access up to GHS 500,000.00 without collateral and audited financials and for a [maximum?] tenor of 24 months at an interest rate of around 25%.

  • 10. How do I apply for support under this project?

    1.     You can walk into any branch of Absa Bank Ghana Limited and request to speak to a relationship manager for assistance.

    2.     You can also download and complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form  by clicking on  this link. Send the completed form to  YAWProjectTeam1@absa.africa to sign up for the Absa Young Africa Works Programme.

    3.     Kindly call the following numbers for assistance:

    • +233 (30)2429150 
    •  0800222333

  • 11. Is there technical assistance available?

    Yes. There are guidance notes on the forms that would be completed by applicants and this is always posted on the Absa Bank Ghana Limited website www.absa.com.gh. There are again dedicated telephone lines (hot lines) available to respond to any enquiries about the project and the completion of the expression of interest form for applicants from Monday to Friday between the hours of 09:00 to 17:00.

  • 12. Can individuals apply to YAW for support?

    No. Support is not given to individuals but rather to eligible registered organisation, cooperatives and businesses who fit the outcome we want to achieve.

  • 13. Can a state agency apply for support?

    State agencies cannot apply for support however, state agencies can submit unsolicited proposals to YAW for consideration. In addition, YAW may approach a state agency to develop a strategic partnership/collaboration around its priority areas of work.

  • 14. Can a business receive support from YAW and Mastercard Foundation or its partners at the same time?

    No. Mastercard Foundation works with different partners under its Young Africa Works Strategy, which works to achieve one common goal. Businesses that have received some support directly from Mastercard Foundation or its partners will not be eligible to receive same from the Absa Young Africa Works Project.

  • 15. How can I contact you?

    Office location:
    Absa Bank Ghana Limited
    Business Banking Department
    Head Office, Atta Mills High Street, Accra

    Telephone: +233 (0)302 66 7686 

    WhatsApp: +233 0501644644

    Email:  YAWProjectTeam1@absa.africa

  • 16. Will applicants receive feedback on the status of their application?

    All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified through their preferred channel of communication of the decision of the steering committee explaining the basis for their decision.

  • 17. How transparent is the process to be part of the project?

    Screening of submitted Expression of Interest forms will begin a day after the submission to assess whether applicant meets the eligibility criteria. The project team will assess/evaluate each application and make recommendations for consideration. All recommended applications will be presented to the project steering committee for review and approval.

  • 18. How long does the process take and/or how soon can I expect a response from Absa Bank Ghana Limited?

    The length of the review period for an Expression of Interest may vary depending on the support required and nature of your business. Feedback on an application is usually provided to applicants within a period of 2 weeks.

Need more help?

Call us on:
+233 (30) 242 9150 (network charges apply)
0800 222 333 (MTN and Vodafone customers)

Chat to Abby on WhatsaApp: 
+233 501 644 644

Email us: 
customerexperience.gh@absa.africa