KFC Africa has showcased its contribution to youth employment, entrepreneurship and food security through the launch of its latest Impact Report in Johannesburg.
Held under the theme, "Private Sector as a Partner in Youth Economic Inclusion and Food Security", the report highlights how the company is supporting young people and communities across South Africa through job creation, business development and social initiatives.
KFC Africa's Three Pillars Of Impact
The report focuses on three key pillars that drive the company's social and economic impact.
Creating Jobs And Developing Skills
The first pillar centres on creating employment opportunities at scale through the quick-service restaurant industry.
KFC Africa says it is helping young people gain valuable work experience and skills development opportunities that can support long-term career growth.
Supporting Black-Owned Businesses Through Franchising
The second pillar highlights the company's franchise model as a tool for expanding Black-owned enterprises and advancing economic empowerment.
By supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners, the model aims to promote enterprise development and create sustainable economic opportunities.
Add Hope Programme Strengthens Food Security
The third pillar focuses on the Add Hope initiative, which supports vulnerable communities through feeding programmes.
Since 2009, the programme has provided more than 180 million meals to children, helping to improve school nutrition and strengthen household food security.
Together, these three pillars demonstrate KFC Africa's efforts to promote employment, entrepreneurship and social impact throughout the country.
Minister Praises KFC Africa's Contribution To Youth Employment
During her keynote address, Minister Thembi Simelane Chikunga commended KFC Africa for its role in creating employment opportunities for young people.
She also recognised the company's participation in the Youth Employment Service (YES), a public-private partnership that has enabled more than 200,000 young South Africans to gain 12 months of workplace experience and move from being classified as unemployed to employed.
According to the Minister, KFC Africa's Impact Report shows how collaboration between government and the private sector can support youth employment, strengthen Black-owned businesses and improve food security.
Call For Greater Youth Inclusion Across Industries
Chikunga urged businesses in the food, agriculture, hospitality and distribution sectors to create more opportunities for young people through skills development, enterprise support and supply chain integration.
"Our young people must be trained, integrated, and transitioned into viable businesses across the food, agricultural value chains, and related industries — from primary production to logistics and distribution, to the food services and hospitality sector, and into the digital platforms that increasingly mediate all of these.
"Every young South African who enters an agricultural value chain, or a food services enterprise, or a hospitality business, must have an exit pathway in place. This is what youth economic inclusion means, substantively. It is the substantive integration of young people into productive enterprises, on terms that give them ownership, agency, and the substantive prospect of accumulation," the Minister said.
Support Needed For Emerging Black Farmers
The Minister said emerging Black farmers, particularly women and persons with disabilities, require greater support to transition into commercial agribusinesses.
This support should include:
- Technical assistance
- Access to finance
- Market opportunities
- Integration into supply chains
"The multiplier effect of a young farmer transitioning into commercial scale is substantively higher than the multiplier effect of most other sectors of the economy. The private sector must recognise this — and act on it."
AfCFTA Creates Opportunities For Young Entrepreneurs
Chikunga also highlighted the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which could help young business owners expand into regional and international markets.
She called for increased investment in youth-owned enterprises through franchise development programmes and stronger inclusion of small businesses within corporate value chains.
Digital Economy Key To Youth Economic Inclusion
The Minister further emphasised the importance of investing in the digital economy.
She said improving access to affordable internet services and digital opportunities would enable more young South Africans to participate meaningfully in the modern economy.
"The digital and platform economy is one of the substantive frontiers of the twenty-first century economic mission. Our young people are on that frontier already. The private sector must meet them there," she said.
