International Development Grant
Youth Entrepreneurship and Women Empowerment in Northern Nigeria
Project Number: CA-3-D000066002
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $15,149,409.00
Start Date: March 27, 2017
End Date: December 31, 2023
Duration: 6.8 years
Project 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.
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.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved at the end of the project (March 2024) include: (1) supported 17 294 entrepreneurs (94% women; 61% youth aged 15 to 35) and 290 small-scale businesses (72.2% women-led) through business development services. Over 96% of them reported improved business performance 95% reported an increase in income and 97% reported having access to suitable and inclusive financial services; (2) supported 1 843 entrepreneurs (1 353 girls and 310 boys) to participate in a life skills program to promote savings entrepreneurship life skills leadership and confidence-building goal-setting and dialogue to prevent early child and forced marriage. Due to community social dialogues life skills programs and other related activities 94% of women and girls surveyed reported a positive change in the family and community environment in support of women’s socio-economic activities and addressing issues of early and forced child marriage; (3) formed 509 savings and loans groups (SLGs) to promote financial literacy and savings across 443 communities. These associations comprised 12 725 members 90% women (11 452 women). The women saved over CAD 2 million throughout the project life cycle. SLGs provided loan services to 60% of the project beneficiaries.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Mennonite Economic DevelopmentAssociates of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
WGM Africa
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal