Standard Bank and First Capital Bank launch initiatives to support SMEs and youth

Standard Bank has launched ‘Empreenda’, a free digital learning platform designed to support entrepreneurship and technical training for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Mozambique. Developed in partnership with the European Union and the German Cooperation for Development (GIZ), the platform offers over 20 virtual training modules in Portuguese. These modules cover topics such as financial management, digital marketing, green economy, sustainable innovation, leadership, and gender equality.

The digital tool aims to overcome geographical and scheduling constraints associated with in-person training, allowing users to learn at their own pace via mobile devices, tablets, or computers. Participants receive certificates upon completion of the courses.

In Botswana, First Capital Bank Botswana has announced its sponsorship of the 3rd Annual Business & Leadership EXPO. The bank is contributing P25,000 to the event, which is scheduled for September 2026. The EXPO aims to connect approximately 700 participants, including students and unemployed youth, with industry leaders. The program will focus on finance, leadership, marketing, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence to support the development of local SMMEs.