NYDA

The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is the South African government’s primary institution for youth development; a catalytic force for empowering young people to actively shape and participate in the country’s economic and developmental trajectory. Established under Act 54 of 2008, the NYDA champions the holistic advancement of youth at all levels of governance, national, provincial, and local, through bold, forward-looking strategies.

At the heart of its mandate is the development and implementation of forward-looking interventions designed to unlock the potential of South Africa’s youth by creating enabling conditions for their meaningful inclusion in society. This includes access to economic opportunities, digital infrastructure, skills development, entrepreneurship support, and sustainable livelihoods.

As Africa moves toward greater regional integration through frameworks like the AfCFTA, and as South Africa engages globally through platforms like the G20, the NYDA positions young people as critical stakeholders in shaping the financial architecture of tomorrow. From informal traders in townships to fintech entrepreneurs building for scale, the NYDA works to ensure that no young person is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital economy.

Through initiatives like this Masterclass on Payment Solutions, the NYDA seeks to advance financial inclusion, promote innovation, and catalyze investment in youth-led enterprises. We believe that inclusive growth must be built on inclusive systems, and empowering youth to co-create those systems is a national imperative.