Africa’s entrepreneurial renaissance continues to gather momentum and at its centre are young visionaries determined to rewrite the continent’s future. Among them is Katleho Mphutlane, a final-year economics student at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), who has positioned himself as a trailblazer in Africa’s social impact economy.
In late August, at Nelson Mandela University, Mphutlane captured first place in the Existing Business Social Impact category at the 2025 EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Eastern Cape Regional Rounds, a national initiative showcasing the best of South African student entrepreneurship. His achievement is more than a personal milestone it reflects the surge of youth-led enterprises addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Innovation Rooted in Impact
Katleho is the co-founder of Incremental Education NPC, a nonprofit company tackling one of South Africa’s enduring crises, the gap between education and employability. Focused on students from TVET colleges and universities of technology, particularly in tourism, hospitality and agriculture, the venture equips graduates with practical skills, global exposure and work-integrated learning opportunities.
What sets Incremental Education apart is its international outlook. Through exchange programmes and placements in the United States, Mauritius and Germany, it offers students invaluable exposure to global best practices. In doing so, the venture is not only preparing students for the workforce but also embedding them within global networks that amplify their competitiveness.
“This victory is more than recognition,” Mphutlane remarked after his win. “It is a platform to expand our reach, reinvest in our programmes and address a critical challenge: students unable to graduate because they lack opportunities for work-integrated learning.”
African Entrepreneurship on the Rise
The EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity is one of South Africa’s most prestigious student innovation platforms. Regional winners advance to the national finals in November, competing for the title of EDHE Studentpreneur of the Year and prize money worth R100,000.
At the Eastern Cape regional rounds, Katleho was joined by fellow UFH innovators Uzukhanye Dyosi, founder of Dirty East, Rinaye Badzhi, founder of Waste-Wise Solutions and Sibusiso Gaca, founder of Ibhekile Consulting. Together, they underscored the breadth of entrepreneurial talent within UFH and more broadly the vibrancy of youth innovation ecosystems across Africa.
Their success has been supported by a strong institutional framework. From mentorship provided by academics and innovation leaders, to backing from the Economic Activation Office and Department of Research and Innovation, UFH has cultivated an entrepreneurial culture that transforms classrooms into launchpads for real-world solutions.
Katleho will now represent the Eastern Cape at the national finals this November, where he hopes not only to secure the coveted national title but also to advance Incremental Education’s impact. “Preparations for the national rounds are ongoing. I am grateful for the support I have received from my lecturers and the institution as a whole,” he said. “I look forward to the nationals with great anticipation and commitment.”
Across Africa, student entrepreneurs like Katleho Mphutlane embody a new generation of change-makers who are combining business acumen with social purpose. Their ventures are reshaping industries, unlocking pathways for employability and ensuring that Africa’s youthful energy becomes a driver of sustainable economic growth.
The story of Incremental Education is a microcosm of Africa’s wider entrepreneurship landscape deeply committed to transforming challenges into opportunities.
