With youth unemployment continuing to be one of South Africa’s biggest challenges, high school learners are being encouraged to develop their entrepreneurial skills by taking part in the 2026 Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge (AGEC) before entries close on July 31.

Now in its 10th year, the free national competition gives learners the opportunity to experience what it is like to run a business through a 30-minute online game. Participants are placed in the role of a business owner and must make practical, real-world business decisions.

Top-performing learners advance to the Business Pitch Challenge, where they develop and present their own business ideas while competing for a share of more than R200 000 in prizes, including cash, Allan Gray Unit Trusts and awards for participating schools.

According to Waseefa Aziz, accounts coordinator, the challenge aims to introduce young people to entrepreneurship in an engaging and practical way.

“Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be developed from a young age. Through the Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge, learners gain valuable insight into business decision-making while building confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills. We encourage all eligible learners to register before the closing date and take advantage of this opportunity,” said Aziz.

The competition also rewards schools, with prizes awarded to the top-performing school, an honorary school and the highest-performing lower-quintile school, helping to expand access to entrepreneurship education.

Prize winners in the High School Game will share R75 000, while the Business Pitch Challenge offers prizes of R35 000 for first place, R27 000 for second place and R18 000 for third place. Schools will also compete for a combined prize pool of R45 000.

Learners, teachers and schools interested in participating are encouraged to register and complete the online challenge before July 31.

More information is available at theentrepreneurshipchallenge.com.