International Breweries PLC as part of it’s drive to upscale the skills of young entrepreneurs has organised Kickstart Entrepreneurship Summit in Lagos
The Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme is part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) platform of International Breweries Foundation (IBF), designed to develop Nigerian youth while supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES).
This year’s Kickstart Initiative was organised to arm businesses with practical tips to ensure survival beyond the current global challenges, hence, the theme: Building a Sustainable Business in a Tough Economy: Key insights for MSMES.
Hugo Rocha, managing director, International Breweries Plc, while speaking at the event, said IBF is supporting the government to bridge the unemployment gap by tapping into the abundance of potential inherent in emerging youth business leaders he described as game-changers Nigeria urgently needs.
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“We recognise economic empowerment as a means of solving unemployment, poverty, and insecurity whilst being a key driver of development; this is why we have invested time, energy, and significant funds into providing training, mentorship, and grants for budding entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years,” Rocha said.
In his speech, Peter Bamkole, chairman International Breweries Advisory Board, explained that 708 young entrepreneurs across a wide range of business sectors have benefitted from Kickstart and 571 jobs have been created through the social investment scheme.
Describing the youths as “our future,” Bamkole revealed that “the Advisory Board visualised the longterm impact and its benefits for Nigerians if Kickstart succeeded in supporting the government to eradicate poverty. We are therefore happy at the successes of many young entrepreneurs that have been empowered by our initiative.”
One of the beneficiaries, Onyinyechukwu Eric-mbah who runs Orchard Blends, a healthy food retail business explained that the N500,000 grant she received from the initiative enabled her to purchase equipment in record time—boosting her business as a result.
Doyin Salami, chairman Economic Advisory Council, Federal Government of Nigeria, in his presentation at the event give details on how businesses can thrive in a tough economy.
