Entrepreneurship Seen as Key to Ending Cycles of Violence

Yei) – A new initiative aiming to build lasting peace in South Sudan by supporting youth and women entrepreneurs has been launched in the Equatoria region. The one year program titled Promoting Inclusive Peacebuilding and Sustainable Livelihoods through Women and Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship is being implemented by the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) in partnership with Gemini Africa.

This initiative brings together peacebuilding, digital education, and entrepreneurship to support some of the country’s most vulnerable groups. It seeks to help marginalized communities escape the cycles of poverty and conflict by equipping them with practical skills and startup support. The program began in June 2025 and will run until May 2026, with the goal of creating a model that can be scaled to other conflict-affected regions in South Sudan and beyond.

At the core of the program is the belief that peace cannot be achieved without economic opportunities. WPDI and Gemini Africa are shifting the focus from traditional conflict resolution strategies to entrepreneurship as a tool for stability. Participants are trained in starting small businesses, conflict resolution, and digital skills. This combined approach is meant to help them contribute meaningfully to both their communities and the broader economy.

The program has three major components. It starts with leadership and dialogue sessions that include community elders and local influencers. These sessions focus on promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation within communities. Next, selected youth and women go through intensive training in business management, peacebuilding methods, and digital technology. The final phase involves pitching business ideas to a panel of experts from Gemini Africa. The best ideas receive seed funding and mentorship to help them succeed.

This initiative builds on successful past collaborations between WPDI and Gemini Africa. WPDI, founded by UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace Forest Whitaker in 2012, has worked in conflict zones worldwide to empower young people and women through education and entrepreneurship. In South Sudan, WPDI runs learning centers and community hubs where people can access training, digital tools, and safe spaces for dialogue.

Gemini Africa, based in Egypt, is a leading player in supporting African startups. It focuses on sectors like creative industries and social impact businesses. The organization brings mentorship, funding access, and entrepreneurial experience to the table, making it a valuable partner in this peacebuilding project.

For South Sudan, where years of conflict have weakened the economy and strained communities, this initiative offers a new way forward. The program treats entrepreneurship not as an elite opportunity but as a basic need. It recognizes that economic empowerment can create jobs, reduce dependency, and even prevent future conflict.

The program helps people build livelihoods and become positive role models in their communities By supporting local entrepreneurs. It reimagines business owners as peacebuilders and problem-solvers, showing that change can come from within even the most fragile areas.

WPDI and Gemini Africa plan to document success stories and share progress with the public. The hope is that the experience in South Sudan will influence development efforts in other parts of Africa that also face instability and poverty.