Launch of the Dutch-funded Orange Center in Juba. February 21, 2024. (Photo: Nyathong William).

The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports has encouraged young entrepreneurs to exercise financial discipline and resist the urge to luxuries in order to save money for their future.

Deborah Akech made the remarks to young businessmen and women during the launch of a Netherlands-funded Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Center, dubbed as Orange Corner, in Juba.

At the request of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Netherlands enterprise established a Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurial Team to work closely with the embassy and local business partners.

The initiative aims at stimulating entrepreneurship amongst African and Middle East youth including South Sudan.

Speaking at the official launch of the program, Undersecretary Akech hopes that the orange Corner will be a hub where young South Sudanese entrepreneurs can access internet to sell and buy products.

Meanwhile, she advises South Sudanese young entrepreneurs to learn our financial literacy and be financially disciplined to move their businesses forward.

“This dress is good. These shoes are nice. The house. You bring a lot of expensive things. So, when you have a business that bring money, you really do not care,” she said.

“You have the source of money. But saving for the future is a challenge. So let us also learn our financial literacy and be financially disciplined to be able to promote our businesses forward.”

Ms. Akech said saving money is one of the challenges facing young businesspeople in South Sudan.

“I hope the orange holders will have the hub where these young entrepreneurs can come and access internet. They want to sell; they want to buy. They have a place where they can come, I believe they have computers, they have laptops.”

“But where they can access Internet for free, for number given hours in a day, and then they can develop further.”