A new chapter in South Africa’s entrepreneurial story opened today with the launch of the Regenesys School of Entrepreneurship in Sandton. Positioned as a hub for innovation and growth, the school aims to bring entrepreneurs, corporates, funders and mentors under one roof to strengthen Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
By equipping entrepreneurs with the practical skills, networks, and access to capital required to thrive, the School ensures that success is not just about starting a business, but about achieving scale and sustainability. In doing so, it aims to build resilient enterprises that drive economic growth, job creation and long-term impact across the continent.
The launch coincides with the Annual Access Bank Womenpreneur Pitch & Match Investment Event, an investment platform that puts high-potential, women-led businesses on stage in front of investors, funders and corporate leaders. Strategically timed to align with National Women’s Month and International Entrepreneurship Day, the event demonstrates the power of female entrepreneurship in shaping Africa’s inclusive growth story.
“We’re igniting a platform for transformation,” says Dr. Reabetswe Kgoroeadira, CEO of the Regenesys School of Entrepreneurship. “African women possess incredible ideas, unwavering resilience and immense drive.
“Through this initiative, and with visionary partners like Access Bank, we are committed to backing them with the capital and credibility they truly deserve.”
The Regenesys School of Entrepreneurship is designed to bridge the persistent gap between ambition and achievement in Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. While South Africa faces unemployment levels above 30%, the School provides a structured pathway for founders to move beyond ideas into execution, scale and long-term sustainability. Its curriculum blends academic excellence with hands-on, market-relevant training. Participants gain competencies in agile working capital management, financial management, leadership and digital transformation, while also acquiring future-critical skills in digital marketing with generative AI
Dr. Kgoroeadira adds: “Entrepreneurship is about building people who can withstand the storms, seize opportunities and contribute to society with integrity. The School of Entrepreneurship is about nurturing the whole entrepreneur not only with technical knowledge but also with emotional intelligence, resilience and ethical leadership.”
Regenesys’ distinctive focus on personal mastery ensures that entrepreneurs are not only business-ready but also life-ready. Participants are encouraged to break self-limiting beliefs, develop creativity and build the confidence required to compete on a global stage
The partnership with Access Bank extends this impact into the real economy. By combining education with exposure to funding platforms and mentorship, the School creates an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can connect directly with markets and investors.
“The strategic collaboration with the Regenesys School of Entrepreneurship brings a shared vision to reshape the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” says Sandile Shabalala, CEO of Access Bank South Africa. “We see the energy, ideas and resilience of women entrepreneurs across Africa every day. Through Access Bank Womenpreneur, powered by Regenesys, we’re giving them a springboard to real investment and sustainable growth.”
Beyond immediate funding opportunities, the school is committed to building long-term capacity. Women participating in the Pitch & Match receive professional pitch training, investor-readiness coaching and access to mentorship networks. This ensures that the benefits extend beyond the event, empowering entrepreneurs to scale businesses, create jobs and contribute to local and regional economies.
The event also demonstrates the power of collaboration. With partners including Access Bank, SEDFA, the National Empowerment Fund, Brand SA, Business Partners, and Huawei, the initiative highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in unlocking entrepreneurship and driving South Africa’s national development agenda
For Regenesys, the School of Entrepreneurship represents the next step in its 28-year journey of developing conscious leaders. With more than half a million students and alumni across 190 countries, and a track record of corporate partnerships with leading global companies, Regenesys is uniquely positioned to accelerate Africa’s entrepreneurial transformation.
“South Africa and Africa are bursting with entrepreneurial potential,” says Dr. Kgoroeadira, “but too many promising ideas never become good businesses. By investing in entrepreneurs today, we are investing in Africa’s economic future creating businesses that are scalable, sustainable, and socially impactful.
About Access Bank PLC
Access Bank PLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings PLC, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the UAE.
Access Bank’s parent company, Access Holdings PLC, has been listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange since 1998. The Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management and capital management capabilities. The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 18 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks.
As part of its continued growth strategy, Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.
