Connect with us

News

Life Progress Booster Moves to Asaba, Rewards Entrepreneurial Spirit of Igbo Man

Published

on

Kindly share this post

It has been a remarkable year for Life Continental Lager Beer, after the huge success of Hi-life fest proudly sponsored by Life Lager, the beer brand shifted its focus to rewarding the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo Man.

 

Life progress booster has quickly become a fan favorite from the staple beer brand with consumers lauding the initiative.

 

This was clearly highlighted, in Asaba last weekend when fifteen more entrepreneurs had their small businesses get a feel of big progress as they received a grant of 300,000 Naira each.

 

The Delta State edition also saw a massive turnout with over 550 applications received, making it one of the largest applicant pool in this year’s event.

 

Life Progress Booster, an initiative of Life Continental Lager Beer, is an entrepreneurship campaign focused on rewarding enterprising minds looking to grow their businesses.

 

They are rewarded with financial grants in the sum of N300, 000, to help them implement the ideas that will scale their business operations.

 

Life Progress Booster kicked off in Enugu before heading to Anambra, making Delta its third stop this year, leaving all businessmen they had contact with happy.

 

As witnessed in the other cities visited, the online applicants who made it to the final round of the live interview, were all excited and eager to explain their ideas to the judges which included – Chief Technologist, Enugu State University, Dr Ferdinand Ozoani, a member of Customary Court Enugu, Mr Michael Ndubuisi, and CEO, Four Seasons Bar and Restaurants, Onitsha, Mr Martins Ezigbo.

 

During the 5-minute pitches, tech and agriculture were the most talked about the sector.

 

The 4.5 million-naira grants given out in Delta now bring the total cash reward received in the 2018 edition of the show to 19.5 million-naira.

 

The Life Continental Lager Beer brand has been at the forefront of supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbos.

 

This initiative, now in its 4th year, is one of the ways it has deepened the impacts of businesses coming from the region.

 

Life Continental beer has never shied away from being firmly rooted in culture and its emphasis on giving back to the people of Igbo descent is nothing short of remarkable.

 

From time past, the Igbo man has always been revered for his industrious nature and the beer brand has brilliantly tapped into this cultural trope and endeared itself to the Igbo audience.

 

During the presentation of the grant cheques to the winners in Asaba, the last winner to be announced, Ms. Oby Madueke, a business center owner, couldn’t hold back her excitement as she thanked the organizers for such an initiative especially at a time when many small businesses are struggling to get capital to continually meet customer needs.

 

She promised to utilize the grant judiciously and hoped to start seeing results in less than 2 months.

 

In addition to the live screening of participants during the main event, other activities like dancing competition, raffle draw and musical performance by HiLifest King 2017, Chibest David transpired.

 

Ifeanyi Amos, who participated in the raffle draw and won a generator, could not hide his delight.

 

He said, “I just came to enjoy the show and participated in the raffle draw, to my surprise I won a generator.

 

“I want to thank Life Continental Lager beer for this priceless gift, it’s interesting how I only came to watch the show and got boosted,” he said.

 

With Delta State concluded, the next stop is Rivers State where Life Continental Lager Beer from the stables of Nigerian Breweries will once again thrill the audience to a show of sheer entrepreneurial intelligence.

 

Life Progress Booster initiative will reward another set of entrepreneurs with 4.5 million naira and other mouth watering prizes in a ceremony which will hold on the 21st of October, 2018 in Port Harcourt at white wings car wash/Bar, 40 Wimpey Rd by Ada George, Port Harcourt.

 

Application closes on the 14th of October, and you can apply by submitting your business proposal to designated outlets, white wings car wash/Bar, Fojeh Bar, Helena Haven Hotels, Lesukaa Bar etc. or visit life-nigeria.com and submit entries.

 

Life continental beer continues to remain distinct from its competition and this is largely due to its unrelenting efforts at celebrating the Igbo culture, whether it’s with the celebration of traditional music through its highlife fest, or with the remarkable Life progress booster initiative, Life continental beer has managed to become one with its customers, connecting with them in a way very few brands can.

 

 


Kindly share this post

Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

News

AXA Mansard Empowers Female SMEs with Financial, Digital Skills

Published

on

Kindly share this post

AXA Mansard, a member of AXA has empowered 200 female Small and Medium Enterprises with financial literacy and digital business skills.

In collaboration with SME 100 Africa, the two-day training, which was held in Lagos, is part of AXA’s lined-up programmes to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day.

Speaking, Olusesan Ogunyooye, Head of Marketing AXA Mansard, said the training was aimed to empower female SME owners with skills to improve business output and position them for the increasing economic opportunities available in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Ogunyooye noted that the move was in line with AXA Mansard’s sustainability agenda, explaining that the company was convinced that support for women through its inclusive protection programmes was pivotal to its purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters and its mission of moving from being a payer to a partner.

He further said that focusing on digital skills was important because the company realised the importance of digital skills to the growth of the SME sector in Nigeria and wants to ensure that women were empowered enough to be a consequential part of that growth.

“It’s almost trite to say that SMEs are the engine for economic growth, especially in developing countries like Nigeria, where over 45 million adults are business owners. What needs to be continually discussed is how Nigeria is going to unlock that potential for economic development and how much of that potential will be unlocked by women and for women.”

“For us at AXA Mansard, we are aware that digital will play a major role in unlocking these current opportunities and Nigeria’s economic future. So, to ensure that women are equally represented in unlocking these future potentials, that’s why we have collaborated with SME 100 Africa to support them in developing the required skills”.

“Our choice of digital and financial literacy skills is deliberate. We understand the power of the duo. We understand that helping these SMEs with the skills to attract more customers will be a faster means to empower them.

“We see that they have amazing products and services, but they need to understand how to attract value for themselves by attracting the right customers, and you will agree with me that virtually all customer segments are online in one way or another today.

“So, if we can empower them with digital business skills, we would have helped them with the heavy lifting of trying to find and attract customers”. Ogunyooye explained.

According to him, AXA Mansard believes that for the world to experience progress truly, there must be an equitable distribution of creation and access to opportunities for men and women. This quest for balance informed the SHE for Shield initiative, a women-centred inclusive protection programme of AXA Mansard.

SHE for Shield is a group of initiatives designed for the Nigerian woman. The goal is to see them grow, add value, and help them mitigate risks at every step.

According to the company, research has found that access to health care is one of the most important things to Nigerian women, regardless of their economic segment. They desire to be financially independent, secure, and respected in the community.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

IFC Invests in New 4DX Ventures Fund to Support Tech Startups in Africa

Published

on

Kindly share this post

IFC is investing $10.5 million in a new fund by 4DX Ventures, a New York-based venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage African technology companies across a broad set of sectors, including fintech, e-commerce, edtech, climate tech, and health tech.

IFC’s investment in 4DX Ventures Fund III will come from IFC’s $225 million venture capital platform, which was launched last year to strengthen emerging VC ecosystems and invest in early-stage companies in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Pakistan.

Africa is among the regions least served by venture capital, receiving just 2% of global venture deal volume in the third quarter of 2023. Access to capital on the continent has been further exacerbated by a slowdown in global venture capital investment.

Tech ecosystems are nascent, or even nonexistent, outside of more established markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa.

“IFC and 4DX Ventures share the commitment to supporting tech entrepreneurs with innovations that will help Africa leapfrog in critical areas such as climate, health care, fintech, e-commerce, and education,” said Walter Baddoo, Co-Founder and General Partner of 4DX Ventures.

“We look forward to partnering with IFC to help promising tech startups build transformative businesses and realize sustainable development impact on the continent.”

4DX’s new fund will invest in companies with tech solutions that can improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness across Africa. The firm’s first two funds invested in companies such as Egypt-based e-commerce platform MaxAB, an IFC portfolio company; Ghana-based health tech firm mPharma; and Kenya-based B2B e-commerce platform Wasoko, formerly known as Sokowatch.

“By supporting the development of tech ecosystems in emerging markets, IFC’s venture capital platform aims to improve access to key services, boost business competitiveness, and promote job creation through digital transformation,” said Mohamed Gouled, Vice President of Industries at IFC.

“Our investment in venture funds such as 4DX Ventures will help African entrepreneurs access more financing and resources they need to scale tech innovations and bolster sustainable growth across the continent.

In addition to providing capital, IFC will work with 4DX Ventures to implement their environmental and social management system.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

News

Climate Action Africa Announces CAAF24

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Climate Action Africa (CAA) has announced the inaugural convening of the Climate Action Africa Forum (CAAF24). This international event brings together stakeholders from across the world who drive thought leadership insights on how to encourage collaboration, catalyse actionable solutions, and urge governments, businesses, and individuals to invest in climate-smart initiatives.

The climate-focused event was announced at last week’s Friday international press conference held at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Abuja. This marks a significant milestone in Africa’s journey towards a sustainable future. A precursor to the upcoming Climate Action Africa Forum scheduled for June 17-19, 2024, at the Landmark Events Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, this press conference brought together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from across the globe. The gathering’s main goal was to discuss the urgent need for sustainable development plans and climate-smart investments in Africa.

Framed by the theme “Green Economies, Brighter Futures: Innovating and Investing in Africa’s Climate-Smart Development,” the international press conference became a vibrant platform for insightful discussions, strategic collaborations, and impactful engagements. It convened an esteemed gathering of leaders, experts, and stakeholders to explore solutions for Africa’s pressing environmental challenges.

The event kicked off with a welcome address by the Executive Director and Co-founder of Climate Action Africa, Grace Mbah, who having announced the commencement of event registration as April 2nd, 2024, made the call for tech-driven solutions and innovations in the fields of emissions reduction, transportation, agriculture, energy, circularity and building and construction to apply to participate in the deal room.

Providing insights to attendees on how innovative approaches and collaborative action is at the heart of CAAF24, she extended an opportunity to like minded organisations who would like to partner by hosting side events and finally, a call for volunteers from across the continent.

“It’s no news that the world stands at a critical juncture, where decisive action is imperative to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change. Against this backdrop, CAAF24 serves as a pivotal platform for key stakeholders to engage in meaningful discourse, and forge collaborative pathways towards a greener, more sustainable future.

The essence of CAAF lies in its commitment to shaping a climate-resilient Africa through co-creation, innovation, and sustainable investment. Through this initiative, we aim to catalyse solutions that enhance the sustainability and prosperity of the continent’s natural resources, people, and economies,” Grace stated.

During the International Press Conference, distinguished speakers and thought leaders emphasised the urgent need for collective action in tackling Africa’s climate challenges.

They delved into critical topics like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and climate finance, offering practical insights and inspiring initiatives.

Jummai Vandu, representing the National Council on Climate Change, expressed optimism about the initiative’s outcomes. “Today’s discussions,” she said, “underscore the urgency of our collective efforts to combat climate change. The National Council believes working together is key to driving meaningful action and creating a more sustainable future for Africa and beyond.”

With the International Press Conference complete, the stage is set for CAAF24. Stakeholders will converge to translate ideas into action, forge partnerships, and drive progress towards a climate-smart Africa.

Mrs. Taiwo Fashipe, Head of Media for the Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNGi), echoed similar sentiments, stating: “The theme of this year’s Climate Action Africa Forum aligns with our goals, vision, and mission at the Presidential CNG Initiative.

“We look forward to using this platform to advance interest in and investment in greener and cleaner energy sources like CNG.”

Standing at a crucial juncture in Africa’s quest for sustainable development, CAAF24, convened by Climate Action Africa in partnership with the National Council on Climate Change, Channels Media Group, and Founder Institute, emerges as a beacon.

It brings together the private and public sectors, guiding the continent towards a future marked by resilience, prosperity, and environmental stewardship.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending