72 youth-owned brands make the cut as Top 16 YOBAs finalists
In the lead-up to the award ceremony in June, an exclusive unveiling took place at the Courtyard Hotel in Waterfall City, revealing the 2025 Top 16 YOBAs finalists across diverse categories.
South Africa’s premier celebration of youth entrepreneurship, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs), is returning for its highly anticipated fourth edition.
This prestigious initiative celebrates the remarkable contributions of young Africans aged 18–35, recognising their role in transforming the nation’s economic landscape through innovation, resilience, and creativity.
This year’s awards ceremony promises to be the most sophisticated and entertaining yet, scheduled for June 21 in Johannesburg.
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In the lead-up to the event, an exclusive unveiling took place at the Courtyard Hotel in Waterfall City, revealing the 2025 Top 16 YOBAs finalists across diverse categories – from agriculture and education, to food, travel, and tourism.
A key feature of this edition is the introduction of the YOBAs report on youth entrepreneurship.
This comprehensive report seeks to deepen understanding of the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, enabling the awards platform to advocate effectively for increased support from corporate South Africa, government agencies, and other key stakeholders.
Pat Mahlangu, founder of the YOBAs, emphasised the importance of the report, stating: “The YOBAs aim to elevate young entrepreneurs’ profiles while also becoming a credible source of insights on youth enterprise development. In 2025, we aim to redefine how youth excellence in entrepreneurship is celebrated, setting new standards for achievement and innovation. We invite everyone to join us.”
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With over 2 000 entries from youth-owned businesses across Africa, this platform has become a vital launchpad for emerging brands to gain exposure, mentorship, and strategic partnerships.
This year, 72 brands have been nominated as finalists. Notable contenders include Branding Africa, Girls Code, Afro Curl, Vetkoek Studios, and Pink Apron, among others.
Judging is overseen by a panel led by Tumelo Chaka, a distinguished figure in marketing and communications.
Chaka underscores the importance of integrity, fairness, and excellence as core principles in the judging process.
He expressed his belief that youth are central to Africa’s future, stating: “Youth are a vital entrepreneurial and consumer segment that will drive the continent’s growth. The Top 16 YOBAs stand at the forefront of this revolution.”
Previous winners, including the renowned SA star Robot Boii, also shared inspiring speeches, emphasising the transformative power of youth-led innovation.
For more information and updates about the 2025 YOBAs, visit www.top16yoba.africa.
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