Celebrating innovative young African entrepreneurs

On August 6, educators, investors, entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders from across Africa will gather for the annual Anzisha Entrepreneurship Education in Africa (EEA) Summit at the African Leadership Academy campus in Johannesburg to explore the best practices in entrepreneurship education while celebrating innovative strategies that empower Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs.

Attendees can look forward to a dynamic agenda that offers invaluable insights from those actively engaged in transforming the educational and entrepreneurial landscape. The summit will feature the unveiling of new resources, groundbreaking innovations, and essential tools, culminating in the prestigious #AnzishaPrize Awards Gala. 

Hammanskraal-born entrepreneur and Anzisha alumnus, Godiragetse Mogajane, who will deliver the keynote address, is a trailblazer in township logistics. As the Founder and CEO of Delivery Ka Speed SA, this forward-thinking SME offers creative delivery solutions that connect underserved areas with essential services. Mogajane’s vision has played a crucial role in establishing the company as a vital part of township economies, earning it widespread acclaim.

This week we feature Othneil Josué Lokonon who is creating jobs and changing lives. 

Ever wondered what it really takes to build a business that changes lives, not just your own, but your entire community’s? We sat down with Lokonon, a powerhouse entrepreneur from Benin, who is proving that business can be more than just profits. It can be a solution.

His mission is to tackle one of the biggest challenges in his region: youth unemployment. Othneil is using agriculture not just to grow crops, but to grow futures through his company Hochea Agro Services. In this honest conversation, Othneil shares his vision, his battles, his wins, and the game-changing lessons

that every young entrepreneur needs to hear.

Q: What sparked your entrepreneurial fire, and what’s your ultimate goal?

“What excites me most is the ability to create jobs through Hochea Agro Services. I don’t just want to win an award, I want to make a real impact. I’m putting all my energy into building a company that creates as many jobs as possible”

Othneil isn’t in this for the accolades. He’s here to fight one of Benin’s biggest social problems: unemployment, especially in rural areas where opportunities are scarce. His agricultural business isn’t just about growing produce. It’s about building pathways to stable jobs and self-sufficiency for young people who might otherwise have no options. This is the heartbeat of his mission: create work, create hope,

create change.

Q: How exactly are you creating these jobs?

“My goal is for Hochea to recruit up to 100 young people a year, if possible. We started with just five

people and have now grown to 30 employees. We also bring in temporary workers for lab work, weeding, harvesting, processing, and other tasks. We always need more manpower - strong young people for the heavy lifting, and women for the processing and more flexible tasks. Every activity we launch is an

opportunity to recruit and empower someone.”

Othneil’s strategy is to start small and scale smart. He’s growing steadily, expanding his orange tree plantations and that naturally creates more demand for workers. His recruitment isn’t random. He uses clear job descriptions to find the right candidates and runs internships that often lead to permanent employment. It’s a smart system. The business grows, young people gain real experience, and the community thrives.

Q: What are the biggest roadblocks you’ve faced?

“Low production has been my biggest challenge. If I don’t produce enough, I won’t be able to hire enough people. Increasing production depends on having sufficient working capital. I dream of building a larger processing unit for soybeans and palm trees, but without funding, I can’t create the jobs I know are urgently needed, especially for women.”

It’s a familiar challenge for many entrepreneurs. You need to grow to hire, but you need resources to grow. The key lesson here isn’t just about the struggle. It’s about being able to clearly identify what your business needs and creating a plan to get it. Othneil knows exactly where the bottleneck is and is actively working to overcome it. Success starts with clarity. Know precisely what’s holding you back. Second,

growth requires a plan. Whether it’s attracting investors, applying for grants, or building partnerships, you must strategise your next steps. Finally, big dreams don’t just happen. You build them by figuring out what you need, then going after it with purpose. 

Q: What golden lessons have you learned along the way?

“The first thing I’ve learned is that a business must solve a real problem in your community. Ask yourself:

What does your community need? Water? Food? Jobs? Start there. Second, you must know how to manage your money. You can’t just focus on your mission; you need to understand sales, turnover, and profit. That’s what keeps your business alive and your impact growing.”

There will be roadblocks. There will be funding gaps. There will be tough seasons. But if your mission is clear and your community needs you, you’ve got to keep moving. Perseverance beats all.

Othneil Josué Lokonon is proof that you don’t need to build an app or move to a big city to create real change. His orange trees are growing fruit, as well as hope, jobs, and futures. So, go on. Build something that matters. Solve a real problem. Change your world. Your business could be someone else’s lifeline.

Start planting today.