Young African Leaders Initiative

Entrepreneurship is defined as the capacity and the willingness to develop, organize, and manage a business venture in spite of the risks in order to make a profit. Entrepreneurs have a unique ability to harness creativity and innovation to produce a profit.

With more than 25% of the world’s workforce projected to live in sub-Saharan Africa by 2050, it’s imperative that young African leaders continue to create economic opportunities for themselves and for generations to come.

Maybe, from childhood, you’ve dreamed of the day you’d own your business, maybe you’ve never considered it. Maybe you’re looking for a way to make money and change your community. Each person’s journey to entrepreneurship looks different—but there’s one thing all successful entrepreneurs have in common: determination.

YALIEntrepreneurs is an initiative to help you take your business venture from an idea to a reality. If you’re determined to create, innovate, and prosper, then get started with the YALIEntrepreneurs resources below.

Make your decisions seamless

Use the YALIEntrepreneurs Decision Tree to streamline your decisions.

Fundamentals of Personal Money Management

Fundamentals of Personal Money Management

The ability to efficiently and effectively manage your finances and investments by making smart decisions is key to personal and entrepreneurial success. This three-part course is designed to introduce basic money management knowledge to achieve financial goals. It will identify and explain different aspects related to income, savings, investments, credit, debt, and risk management. It will also examine patterns and behaviors regarding money management and how those perceptions influence financial decisions.

The YALIEntrepreneurs Workbooks below are designed to give practical and step-by-step instructions on how to write a business plan, develop a pitch, refine your financial literacy skills, and find your inner entrepreneur.

“Brand Better” Workbook

The YALIEntrepreneurs “Brand Better” workbook provides helpful guidance on creating a digital marketing strategy for your business. Download the workbook today to create your business’s digital marketing blueprint.

Download the Brand Better Workbook

“Finding Your Inner Entrepreneur” Workbook

YALIEntrepreneurs “Finding Your Inner Entrepreneur” Workbook  focuses on helping you to uncover your inner entrepreneur by identifying solutions, skills, and interests worth pursuing. Download the workbook and get start refining your business idea today.

• Download Workbook One (PDF 463 KB)
• Télécharger le Classeur Un (PDF 467 KB)
• Baixar o caderno de trabalho um (PDF 464 KB)

“Writing Your Business Plan” Workbook

YALIEntrepreneurs “Writing Your Business Plan” Workbook is a step-by-step guide on how to write a strategic business plan. Download the workbook today and get started laying the foundation for your business venture.

• Download Workbook Two (PDF 467 KB)
• Télécharger le classeur deux (PDF 465 KB)
• Baixar pasta de trabalho dois (PDF 462 KB)

“Money Management” Workbook

The YALIEntrepreneurs “Money Management” Workbook is designed to help you learn about budgeting, saving, financial goal setting, and how to apply them to your personal finances.

• Download the workbook (PDF 399 KB)
• Téléchargez le classeur (PDF 403 KB)
• Baixe a apostila (PDF 401 KB)

Educate Your Community

You can organize a YALILearns session, using one of the YALI Network Online Courses or Video Vignettes, to educate your community on entrepreneurship. Visit the YALILearns site at yali.state.gov/learns for a full list of entrepreneurship courses, videos, and facilitation guides to get started

Additional Resources

Add the resources below to your entrepreneurs arsenal.

• Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs Facilitation Guide
• Pitching Your Business Idea Workbook ;
  • French
  • Portuguese 
• The “Dos and Don’ts of Workplace Culture infographic 

Host a YALILearns session

Take what you’ve learned from YALIEntrepreneurs to uplift others within your community. Use the facilitation guides below to host a YALILearns session and tell us about your successes here.