Over 1,231 youths and women in Kaduna State have benefitted from free business registration, Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, and other empowerment opportunities under the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) project. The initiative is implemented by ThriveAgric in partnership with Crust Microfinance Bank and supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address unemployment and promote financial inclusion.
The empowerment drive was revealed during the Annual Gender and Youth Advocacy Programme held in Zaria, where the Head of Operations at ThriveAgric, Mr Uzoma Alika, described the programme as a national effort to place youths and women at the centre of economic growth.
“Today’s event is a powerful demonstration of what is possible when we invest in the potential of our youth and women. Beyond providing training and financial tools, we are raising a new generation of advocates who will champion inclusive growth in their communities across Nigeria,” Alika said.
He further explained that the advocacy series, themed ‘From Potential to Opportunity: Driving Gender-Inclusive Youth Employment,’ is being implemented in Kaduna, Bauchi, Benue, Niger, and Plateau States. According to him, the initiative merges ThriveAgric’s digital agriculture solutions with Crust Microfinance Bank’s tailored financial services to provide entrepreneurs with access to credit, structured markets, and climate-smart agriculture knowledge.
Several beneficiaries at the event shared how the initiative has helped them move from subsistence farming to profitable agribusiness ventures. They credited the programme for providing access to credit facilities, structured market systems, and improved resilience against climate change, which has boosted their income and livelihood.
Mr Timitayo Adebayo, Kaduna State Supervisor for Crust Microfinance Bank, noted that the project identified the lack of statutory business registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a major challenge faced by young entrepreneurs.
“In addition to business registration, the project also empowered 350 beneficiaries with POS terminals and linked them to capital to strengthen and sustain their enterprises,” Adebayo stated.
Similarly, Mr Mayowa Moses, Kaduna State Lead Supervisor for the CFYE project, disclosed that the initiative has created jobs for over 1,000 youths and women across seven local government areas in the state.
“Some of the beneficiaries are engaged as trader agents in farm commodities and inputs such as fertilizers and grains, while others serve as climate champions advocating climate-smart agricultural practices. The project also provides them with salaries and transport allowances. What we are doing now is evaluating the impact of the support and knowledge they have received on their livelihoods,” Moses explained.