How Young Entrepreneurs in PNG Are Shaping Their Futures
Learning entrepreneurial skills through the Teen Entrepreneur Program
At just 16 years old, Jessica (left), a grade eight student in Western Highlands Province, is already developing an entrepreneurial mindset while still in school.
She is one of over 2000 students that benefitted from a Teen Entrepreneur Program that was rolled out in seven schools between 2023 and 2025. The program gave students like Jessica and her peers a rare opportunity to help them build lifelong skills, confidence and the mindset needed to help shape brighter futures for themselves and their communities, while continuing their regular studies.
In May 2025, schools participating in the program hosted a Show Day, bringing together parents and community members to celebrate students' achievements. It was a proud moment for students to show off their creative and practical projects developed through the program.
“My dream is to be a lawyer, but now, I’m just doing the best I can. With the skills we learned, we started a small income generating business making bilums (string bags), woven caps and planting crops like corn, onions and vegetables that we sell at the town market and to nearby communities. With the money earned, we buy things that we need for school. This is the best thing in Engnui.”
Students like fifth graders, 13-year-old Golden and 15-year-old Shane, initiated a spice making business as part of the program. Using dried chili, ginger and curry leaves, they grind and package spice mixes to sell to teachers, nearby communities and the local market. “Since starting, we’ve sold about 40 spice packets already,” Golden says.
Supported by the Australian Government and implemented through a partnership between UNICEF and the PNG Department of Education, the program reached 2,080 Grade 6–8 students across the seven pilot schools, empowering them with practical and transferable skills to help them develop personally and professionally.
"The aim of the PNG Teen Entrepreneur skills development approach was to expose young people to entrepreneurship experiences through learning,” says Evyline N’Zi, UNICEF Education Specialist. “It’s helping students build essential skills—like creativity, problem-solving, financial literacy, teamwork, and resilience—so they’re better prepared to be more adaptable, employable and productive adults after school.”
A parent consultation revealed that students aren’t just learning in class – they’re sharing what they learn with their families, thinking like young business owners and taking more responsibility at home.
It's not only about theory in school, but they're bringing the skills they learn back home and teaching their families. The parents are very supportive. Some are providing land for their children to continue their gardening projects at home and many parents have expressed a desire to learn these skills themselves,” explained Roselyne Borasu, a youth volunteer who supported the review of the program.
From gardening to spice making to carving out cooking utensils from bamboo plants, the Teen Entrepreneur Program is preparation for life. Students like Luke Presley, who received his Certificate of Achievement, are learning more than just lessons from textbooks.
Teachers like Michael Iki, Deputy Headteacher, Engnui Memorial Lutheran Primary School and also Coordinator of the program across the seven schools, and Jonathan Kindeng, Headteacher at Ogelbeng Primary school were among 37 teachers and headteachers who were trained to deliver this program.
“From the bottom of our hearts, we wholeheartedly thank Australia for supporting this program. We also thank UNICEF and our National Department of Education for facilitating it,” Michael expressed.
Thomas Kari, Senior School Inspector for the Division of Education in Western Highlands Province said: “This is a good program. It is helping students to grow their skills at a young age and to think beyond the classroom so they can become somebody when they grow up.”
