The 4th Annual Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBAs) has officially announced its 2025 finalists at a vibrant gathering hosted at the Courtyard Hotel in Waterfall City. These prestigious awards remain the only platform on the African continent dedicated to recognising and celebrating exceptional brands owned and run by young entrepreneurs.
Established to honour the legacy of June 16, 1976, the “Top 16” not only symbolises youth empowerment but also aligns with the African Union’s designation of this date as the Day of the African Child. In keeping with this, the 2025 awards have introduced new categories to honour youth-led brands across the continent, broadening the celebration of African excellence and entrepreneurship.
“The YOBAs have, over the past four years, set a benchmark for recognising youth-led innovation and impact,” said Pat Mahlangu, Founder of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards. “This platform continues to grow into a powerful movement that validates the efforts of young Africans who are reshaping the business landscape.”
The 2025 YOBAs, which are proudly sponsored by First National Bank and WesBank, as gold partner sponsors, recognise finalists across 17 categories, including two new Pan-African categories that spotlight brands from East Africa and the SADC region.
Janis Robson, Head of Business Development at FNB expressed enthusiasm about this year’s finalists
“At FNB, we’re passionate about supporting youth-led enterprises because we believe they are key to building a sustainable and inclusive economy.”
For more information, visit: www.top16yoba.co.za
