New 2026 partnership will give thousands of young Africans access to university-backed digital education, entrepreneurship training and future-ready technology skills.
South Africa’s digital economy is evolving rapidly, but one challenge continues to stand in the way of meaningful progress: ensuring talented young people have access to quality education and opportunities. A new partnership between FNB and the University of Johannesburg Business School (JBS) aims to change that by opening new doors for aspiring developers and entrepreneurs across the continent.
The organisations have announced a landmark collaboration for the 2026 FNB App Academy, bringing together industry expertise and academic excellence to provide learners with a credible, practical and future-focused digital education experience.
The partnership reinforces a shared commitment to preparing young people for careers in technology while nurturing the entrepreneurial mindset needed to help shape South Africa’s digital future.
Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity
The FNB App Academy was founded on a simple but powerful belief: talent exists everywhere, even where opportunity does not.
Designed as a free and open learning platform, the programme helps bridge the gap between potential and possibility by providing accessible, high-quality digital education to participants across Africa.
Its mission is to take young people from grassroots to greatness, equipping them with technical knowledge, entrepreneurial thinking and innovation skills that enable meaningful participation in the digital economy.
After successfully training more than 35,000 young people during 2025, the programme is setting an even more ambitious target for 2026 by aiming to graduate over 50,000 participants nationally.
A University-Backed Learning Experience
One of the most significant enhancements for the 2026 programme is its collaboration with the Johannesburg Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship (JBSCE).
Through this partnership, participants will benefit from a structured educational experience that combines:
- Practical app development
- Entrepreneurship thinking
- Innovation leadership
- Future-focused digital skills
The curriculum has been jointly developed by FNB and JBSCE to reflect real-world industry requirements, emerging technologies, entrepreneurial capabilities and innovation trends.
Learners who successfully complete the programme will receive a Certificate of Completion endorsed by the Johannesburg Business School Centre for Entrepreneurship.
While the programme is not currently registered as an NQF qualification, it provides a recognised, industry-aligned learning experience designed to strengthen employability, entrepreneurial capability and participation in South Africa’s growing digital economy.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The 2026 App Academy extends far beyond traditional online learning.
Participants will gain access to mentorship opportunities, practical innovation challenges, industry insights and future-of-work learning experiences designed to help bridge the gap between education and employment.
By combining technical development with entrepreneurial thinking, the programme aims to prepare graduates not only for jobs but also for business creation and long-term economic participation.
Tackling Youth Unemployment Through Skills Development
According to Janis Robson, Business Development Head at FNB, meaningful partnerships are essential to addressing youth unemployment and digital inclusion at scale.
“This partnership is about creating meaningful access to opportunity,” she said. “By bringing together industry expertise, academic excellence and practical innovation, we are building a platform that enables young people to develop relevant skills, gain recognised learning experiences and participate more meaningfully in the economy.”
FNB Business CEO Ghana Msibi believes the solution to youth unemployment goes beyond creating jobs alone.
He says South Africa must also equip young people with the confidence, skills and opportunities to establish businesses that create employment for others while strengthening communities and supporting households.
Academic Excellence Meets Innovation
For the University of Johannesburg, the collaboration aligns closely with its broader focus on entrepreneurship, innovation and future-ready education.
Professor Alistair Mokoena says the initiative combines academic rigour with practical digital skills development to create meaningful pathways into the digital economy.
As one of South Africa’s leading institutions in innovation and business education, the University’s contribution includes curriculum development, academic oversight, entrepreneurship expertise and employability support.
Supporting Innovation Beyond Graduation
The FNB App Academy also forms part of the wider App of the Year ecosystem, which continues supporting participants beyond the classroom.
Graduates have opportunities to participate in innovation programmes including the Hackathon and Awards initiatives, providing platforms for collaboration, recognition and continued growth.
These opportunities encourage participants to transform newly acquired skills into practical solutions while building stronger connections within South Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
Building South Africa’s Digital Future
As South Africa continues addressing youth unemployment, digital inclusion and the growing demand for future-ready skills, collaborations between the private sector and higher education institutions are becoming increasingly important.
The partnership between FNB and the University of Johannesburg Business School demonstrates how strategic collaboration can unlock opportunity at scale by providing thousands of young people with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
By investing in education today, the programme aims to help shape the developers, innovators and entrepreneurs who will power tomorrow’s economy.
