Disability, entrepreneurship, and inclusive finance: reimagining livelihood pathways for young people in Sub-Saharan Africa

Entrepreneurship is frequently promoted as a pathway to economic participation for young people with disabilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet many continue to experience fragile livelihoods shaped by inaccessible financial systems, social stigma, and exclusion from education and asset building opportunities. A viable entrepreneurial life for disabled youth requires not only access to appropriately designed financial services but also broader social and economic support systems that strengthen resilience. Many young people with disabilities must rebuild livelihoods undermined by inaccessible schooling, depleted assets, high-risk informal borrowing, and volatile markets. This paper argues that economic empowerment programs must move beyond isolated training or micro-credit schemes and instead align with financial sector reforms, inclusive finance innovations and inclusive social protection. Integrating accessible financial services with supportive social systems is essential for enabling youth with disabilities to build sustainable enterprises and pursue livelihoods marked by stability, dignity, and long-term opportunity.