Mzansi’s creatore economy has a barrier problem. Foneyam is removing it

Pepkor’s FoneYam joins forces with Dentsu School of Influence, powered by CSA, to help unlock the future of South Africa’s creator economy

South Africa does not have a talent problem. It has an access problem. In a creator economy worth billions, where content drives culture and culture drives commerce, too many young South Africans are still trying to build something real with limited tools, limited access and no clear pathway to scale.

Recognising this gap, Pepkor’s FoneYam has partnered with the Dentsu School of Influence, powered by CSA, to help unlock the next generation of digital entrepreneurs and create new pathways into South Africa’s rapidly expanding creator economy.

Launching during Youth Month, the programme aims to shift the conversation from likes and followers to long-term commercial value, equipping creators with the skills needed to transform influence into enterprise.

For many aspiring creators, the challenge is not talent or ambition. It is access to technology, industry networks, mentorship and opportunity. And in today’s creator economy, access to technology is no longer a luxury. It is infrastructure.

FoneYam, Pepkor’s smartphone rental offering available through PEP and Ackermans, was created to make smartphone ownership more accessible through flexible and affordable solutions. Through this partnership, the brand is extending that commitment by helping young creators access opportunities within the digital economy.

At the heart of the programme is “One Big Week”, an intensive creator accelerator where participants gain exposure to industry leaders, live business challenges and real-world brand engagement. The objective is simple: to help creators build sustainable businesses around their influence.