By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Start-ups run by African entrepreneurs have been offered a grant of about N104 million ($250,000) to design innovative solutions that will solve the climate crisis of the continent.
This funding support is being given by a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, WeForGood International, with the backing of IHS Nigeria.
In a statement, WeForGood stated that the fund would be disbursed to viable eco-friendly sustainable enterprises owned by young African entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years and would have eco-solutions projects that would enhance environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the 2022 Sustainable Solutions Africa Project Conference in Lagos, the CEO of the group, Ms Temitayo Ade-Peters, disclosed that, “In the past three years, through our fellowship programme, we have directly supported close to 60 African startups with training and coaching and facilitated over $250,000 to promote sustainable solutions on the continent.”
“We’ve reached about 1,400 youths and entrepreneurs exploring skills for impact to further scale their reach. The start-ups we support run for-profit and not-for-profit businesses addressing one or more areas of the SDGs,” she further said at the event to mark the United Nations’ World Youth Skills Day with the theme Promoting Eco-Focused Solutions Africa’s Pathway to Sustainable Growth.
Ms Ade-Peters informed guests on the occasion that “through the support of IHS Nigeria, we have an opportunity for young people to get up to N3 million to support their individual projects” that could be used to create sustainable solutions to solve Africa’s problems, commending the company for its support for the climate.
On her part, the Director for Corporate Excellence and Programme Management at IHS Nigeria, Ms Oluwatoyin Aralepo, advised the young entrepreneurs to base their entrepreneurial development on three leadership ladders personal vision, higher standard and influence.
“Leadership has to be strategic and patient to be able to carry all members of the team along to achieve the group’s objectives,” Ms Aralepo said.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that the participation of youth in the advocacy for a real shift is essential in order to combat climate change.
“Government, private sector and civil society must all look towards young people, as we aim to strengthen both formal and informal education on climate change and viable lifestyles.
In addition, sustainable production and consumption patterns must be promoted and supported by the youth as environmental champions in their local communities,” Mrs Orelepe-Adefulire said.
A Human Resources Consultant, Mrs Sandra Iheanacho, who was also at the programme, said that education was very essential to produce young Nigerian entrepreneurs that would become job creators.
“To take care of tomorrow we have to prepare by taking care of the education of our youths that are capable to create jobs,” she said.
Another speaking, Ms Yejide Aina, who is the CEO of The Illuminator’s Academy, said that Nigerian youths need a quality educational curriculum that would equip them with an innovative and entrepreneurial capacity to create economic opportunities in the country’s economy.
