Sigma Technology partners with Star for Life to empower young female entrepreneurs
Sigma Technology Group has become a sponsor of Star for Life’s newly launched Young Entrepreneurs Program, a pioneering initiative designed to strengthen entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and long-term economic resilience among girls in South Africa.
South Africa is facing one of its most challenging decades for young jobseekers, with youth unemployment climbing from 36.9% in 2015 to 46.1% in 2025 and soaring as high as 62.4% among those aged 15–24. At the same time, girls and young women continue to bear a disproportionate share of this crisis, with nearly half of women aged 15–34 classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training), underscoring the urgent need for targeted, skills-building initiatives that open real pathways to economic participation and financial independence.
The Young Entrepreneurs Program is a targeted, one-year entrepreneurship program for girls aged 14–18, aiming to spark entrepreneurial thinking as a pathway to financial independence, self-confidence, and protection against challenges linked to poverty and social vulnerability.
Creating Sustainable Impact for Girls and Their Communities
The new initiative builds on Star for Life’s Girls Club program, which aims to foster a generation of strong, independent women. The Young Entrepreneurs Program equips participants with practical business knowledge, from business ideation to marketing, sales, financial literacy, and basic record keeping.
Through hands-on learning and real-life market activities, participants will gain tools to launch small but sustainable income-generating ventures in their local communities, while also developing leadership skills and belief in their own capabilities.
The program will initially be piloted at two schools, with each school hosting a cohort of six girls, forming a total of twelve inaugural participants. The long-term ambition is to expand the program to additional schools as more partners join the initiative.
“I am deeply grateful that Sigma Technology is partnering up with us to support the next generation of female micro-entrepreneurs. This represents Star for Life at its best, and it is a cause close to my heart: empowering girls to become independent, to earn their living, and to gain the financial freedom to stand on their feet and, when necessary, leave destructive relationships,” says Jessica Grundström Ahldin, Secretary General at Star for Life.
Sigma Technology’s Contribution to Star for Life
Sigma Technology has been an active partner of Star for Life since 2015, sponsoring the organization’s motivational and health programs in three South African schools: Mmemezi High School, Nibela Primary School, and Nompondo Primary School. The partnership is driven by Sigma Technology employees, known as Star for Life Ambassadors.
These ambassadors lead initiatives that support students during their school years, through graduation, and into further education. As part of the Young Entrepreneurs Program, Sigma Technology’s ambassadors will contribute through experience sharing, knowledge exchange, and long-term collaboration with Star for Life’s local teams.
“Entrepreneurship is one of Sigma Technology’s core building blocks, which is why becoming a partner in this program felt like a natural step. We are proud to deepen our partnership with Star for Life through this important initiative. Giving young girls the tools to build their own futures is one of the most impactful investments we can make. We believe this program will not only empower individuals but also strengthen entire communities,” says Carl Vikingsson, CEO at Sigma Technology Group.
For more information, contact:
Nataly Lamkén
Chief Communication Officer at Sigma Technology Group
nataly.lamken@sigmatechnology.com
Philip de Croy
Deputy Secretary General & Communications Director
About Star for Life
Star for Life is a non-profit organization reaching tens of thousands of students in Southern Africa with programs focused on empowerment, self-esteem, health awareness, and future readiness.
Internationally, Star for Life operates in 173 schools in 8 countries with 80 000 students yearly.
For a complete picture, visit starforlife.org.
About Sigma Technology Group
Sigma Technology Group, part of the Sigma Group, is a privately-owned global technology consulting company with operations in Sweden, Hungary, Kosovo, Norway, Germany, and Ukraine, and global delivery to Europe, the USA, and Asia. Sigma Technology Group offers cutting-edge expertise in software development, product information, embedded systems design & development, digital solutions, and IT infrastructure with expert consultants, offshore delivery, and development teams.
For a complete picture, visit sigmatechnology.com
