Visa Partners with Absa to Launch 2024 She’s Next Programme

13 March 2024

Global leader in payments technology, Visa, has announced its collaboration with Absa for the 2024 She's Next programme. She's Next programme is a global advocacy programme that aims to support women-owned small businesses through funding, training and mentorship. The programme extends beyond conventional business paradigms to champion meaningful impact towards the progress of women across societies.

As part of this partnership, Visa and Absa will spearhead the women in business empowerment initiative, advocating for and supporting women entrepreneurs throughout South Africa. Both organizations remain steadfast in their pursuit of a dual purpose - excelling in business while effecting positive societal change. Together, they aim to amplify their reach and offerings in digital payments, with a specific focus on the burgeoning youth market, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and empowering women entrepreneurs.

She's Next offers participants a chance to win over R1 million worth of prizes. In addition to the monetary prizes, the top applicants will receive training and capacity building sessions courtesy of Visa, Absa and its partners.

"We are proud to once again bring our successful 'She's Next' global programme to Africa. As the number of female entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa continues to increase, Visa, together with our partners, is broadening the reach of the She's Next initiative to empower more women entrepreneurs in the region. As a business that recognises the potential of women entrepreneurs, we endeavor to provide them with practical insights and valuable tools necessary for the growth and advancement of their businesses," emphasised Lineshree Moodley, Country Manager of Visa South Africa.

Visa has already digitally empowered 16 million small and micro businesses (SMBs) worldwide, surpassing its multi-year goal set in 2020 to digitize 50 million SMBs. Additionally, the Visa Foundation has allocated $1 million in funding to organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa that support SMBs. This funding encompasses grants and impact investments in programs offering SMBs training, support services, and access to capital, with a focus on gender inclusivity and diversity. She's Next in Sub-Saharan Africa will further extend the reach and impact of this programme.

Steven Zwane, Absa's Managing Executive of Corporate Citizenship says, "We are incredibly excited to be part of the 2024 She's Next program, championing the success of women entrepreneurs. This partnership represents a natural extension and continuation of the substantial work that Absa has embarked upon to comprehensively understand the unique needs of women-owned small businesses, and ultimately, to help them succeed. Through Absa and Visa's joint efforts, we hope to make a meaningful, tangible impact in society".

She's Next underscores its belief in the transformative power of empowering women in business. Going beyond mere recognition, the initiative offers tangible support to women entrepreneurs, including a grant, a one-year coaching membership, and strategic partnerships with influential figures in various industries.

This year, the global advocacy program will span across five countries: South Africa, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking significant strides in advancing opportunities for women entrepreneurs across Africa.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.

About Absa Group Limited

Absa Group Limited ('Absa Group') is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa's largest diversified financial services groups.

Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.

Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. Absa also has representative offices in China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.

For further information about Absa Group Limited, visit www.absa.africa

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