Jayshree Padayatchey

Jayshree Padayatchey is an entrepreneurship and enterprise-development specialist, investor-readiness coach, business-plan expert and microfranchising practitioner with over 25 years of experience in community economic development. She is the Executive Director of Shakti Africa – Enterprise, Growth & Impact Institute, CEO of The WIL Academy and Director of JRP Socder Projects (Pty) Ltd.

Her work focuses on developing sustainable enterprises, stimulating local economic activity and supporting women, youth and entrepreneurs in townships, rural communities and informal settlements. She has extensive experience in entrepreneurship training, business coaching, programme design, business systemisation, financial and investor readiness, market access and the development of replicable microfranchise models.

Jayshree has worked with government entities, universities, development agencies, corporates and local and international NGOs. She has mentored entrepreneurs through initiatives including the Graça Machel Trust’s Women Creating Wealth Programme and has supported SMMEs across multiple sectors to strengthen their operations, become funding-ready and pursue sustainable growth.

She currently leads a pioneering Microfranchise Systemisation, Scale-Up and Replication Programme that transforms viable small businesses into structured, investment-ready and replication-ready enterprises. Her work is driven by a commitment to creating employment, building sustainable livelihoods and enabling communities to achieve lasting economic independence through entrepreneurship.