Three out of four young people want to start their own business, but lack of capital remains a major barrier, according to a national study by Adie Mayotte.
Youth entrepreneurship in focus
A national study by Adie Mayotte and Appinio shows that 75% of young people want to start their own business, but lack of personal capital is the main barrier. To help, Adie Mayotte is hosting field events and over 600 workshops this week.Motivations for starting a business
Nearly 40% of young people cite independence and time freedom as their main reasons for wanting to start a business, often before considering profitability. In 2025, 133 young people under 30 launched projects using microloans from the organization, which accounted for 13% of all supported projects on the island.Changing work models
Young entrepreneurs are no longer aiming for traditional sole proprietorship. Half of them see a future that combines or alternates between employment and entrepreneurship. In 2026, 60% of young entrepreneurs kept another job alongside their business, with 40% being salaried employees.Financial challenges and support
Many young people face financial fears, with 54.4% worried about risks and 36.1% lacking initial capital. Only 15.2% accessed traditional bank loans, so 45% used personal savings and 27.2% relied on family support to start their businesses.Support events and resources
Adie Mayotte is hosting events from October 12 to 16 to explain its financing and support options. Events include the South Entrepreneurs Forum on October 13 and the Entrepreneurs Market on October 14, with ten local meetings and over 600 online workshops to help with administrative tasks and business planning.Success of microloans
Data shows that 93% of young people who received microloans are employed two to three years later. 82% say they have improved their skills, and 70% report better quality of life after starting their businesses.Entrepreneurship in public policy
As the presidential election approaches, Adie Mayotte is pushing for youth entrepreneurship to be a key part of employment policy. Six out of ten young people want clear answers from candidates, who they feel have overlooked youth entrepreneurship in tackling unemployment.A political challenge for the future
Frédéric Lavenir, president of national Adie, says making youth entrepreneurship accessible is a political challenge involving emancipation and trust in the future. On an island with youth unemployment over 30%, supporting young entrepreneurs is seen as a public interest investment.
