It formed part of the bank’s broader youth empowerment agenda which aims to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

The festival brought together students, startups, and key players in Ghana’s entrepreneurship ecosystem for a day of practical learning, engagement, and inspiration.

Activities included an innovation showcase of emerging Ghanaian brands, and a panel discussion focused on navigating the entrepreneurial journey from idea to impact.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mbhele highlighted Absa’s people-first approach to banking.

“We do not just open accounts; we invest in people. When we say ‘Your Story Matters’, we mean it. Because in every entrepreneur, we see an agent of change, a builder of ideas, and a storyteller shaping the future,” he said.

Nana Essilfuah Tamakloe, Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Absa Ghana, emphasised commitment to youth development.

“We are very committed to supporting the dreams and ideas of young entrepreneurs. That support goes beyond finance. It starts with capacity building, skills development, and advisory support to help them thrive,” she said.

The panel discussion, Moderated by Berla Mundi, offered practical guidance on building sustainable businesses. Speakers stressed the importance of market research, developing a minimum viable product (MVP), and learning from failure.

They encouraged participants to test ideas on the local market, rather than replicate foreign models, and to embrace continuous learning, mentorship, and flexibility in adapting business models.

Elselund Ewudzie-Sampson, a female entrepreneur, shared her journey from delivering groceries from home to building a logistics-backed foodstuff brand called Big Samps Market.
She recounted receiving a GHS 200,000 grant from Absa Ghana, which became a turning point in her journey.

“That grant changed everything. It allowed me to rebrand, hire new staff, and restructure the business for scale. Absa Bank’s support helped me move from survival to growth,” she said.

The Future Fuelled Youth Festival is part of Absa Bank’s ongoing contribution to financial literacy and entrepreneurship. It provides a space for young founders and ecosystem players to connect, share insights, and access resources to drive self-employment and long-term business success.