South Africa is launching a $135 million Youth Fund to support youth-owned small and medium enterprises, part of a government effort to tackle the country's persistently high youth unemployment. Nearly half of South Africans aged 15-34 are jobless, highlighting the urgent need for targeted economic interventions. Unlike previous small grant programs, this fund will provide much larger loans and take equity stakes in promising, youth-owned small and medium enterprises. The goal is to help these businesses grow into sustainable, job-creating companies capable of scaling and potentially listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Spearheaded by the National Youth Development Agency with backing from provincial governments and private partners, the initiative will focus on strategic sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, mining, and industrial manufacturing to foster growth and industrialization.