Youth Entrepreneurship and Women Empowerment in Northern Nigeria


Reporting Organization:Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)
Total Budget ($CAD):$ 15,249,536
Timeframe: March 27, 2017 - December 31, 2023
Status: Implementation
Contact Information: Unspecified

Partner & Funder Profiles


Reporting Organization


Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

Participating Organizations


Unspecified

Funders (Total Budget Contribution)


Return to top

Location


Country - Total Budget Allocation


Nigeria - $ 15,249,536.00 (100.00%)

Return to top

Areas of Focus


Other - Total Budget Allocation


Law, Governance & Public Policy (53.74 %)

Food Security & Agriculture (24.82 %)

Sexual & Gender-based Violence (19.28 %)

Education (2.16 %)

Return to top

Description


The project aims to advance economic growth in the agriculture sector by supporting the development of businesses and increasing income generating opportunities for women and youth in Bauchi State. The project seeks to engage government and private sector stakeholders to provide reliable services that support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises. By improving economic conditions for women and youth aged 18 to 35, the project also aims to reduce the economic causes of child, early marriage. Project activities include: (1) designing and deploying more accessible and adapted financial services for small scale businesses and entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women and youth; (2) providing support to small scale businesses to address shared value chain productivity constraints; and (3) developing culturally appropriate awareness campaigns to address early marriage. The project is expected to directly benefit 1,000 small scale businesses and 15,000 entrepreneurs with a focus on rice and sesame value chains for their high growth potential.

Return to top

Target Population


Gender and age: Adult women
Descriptors: Youth
Total Direct Population: 21,602
Return to top

Outputs


509 village savings and loans associations
7,961 Supported entrepreneurs
217 Supported small-scale businesses
1 Training
Return to top

Results & Indicators


Expected Results


The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved performance of small-scale businesses operated by women and youth, in targeted agricultural value chains in Bauchi State; (2) reduced barriers faced by entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, and small scale businesses; and (3) increased community awareness and family support to address the issue of early marriage and promote economic opportunities to young women in Bauchi.

Achieved Results


Results achieved as of March 2021 include: (1) formed 509 village savings and loans associations to promote financial literacy and savings. These associations comprise 12,881 members (of whom 94% are women); (2) supported 7,961 entrepreneurs (of whom 94% are women) and 217 small-scale businesses (of which 69% are women-owned), through business development services and 94% of those supported reported improved business performance; and 84% reported an increase in profit; and (3) delivered a Life Skills for Girls program to 543 girls to promote savings, entrepreneurship, life skills, confidence-building, goal-setting and dialogue on preventing child, early and forced marriage. Due to these community dialogues, life skills programs and other related activities, 93% of women and girls surveyed reported a positive change in the community environment around the issue of early marriage.

Indicators


  • None Selected
Return to top
Return to top

Associated Projects (If applicable)


Return to top
Icon