(Warri, Delta State) On December 6, 2021, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and DMG-Events, headquarted in Dubai, UAE commenced a concurrent one-week entrepreneurship training program in Warri, Delta State and Yenegoa, Bayelsa State for 50 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Renewable Energy sector, with similar training scheduled to commence in Rivers State from December 13 to 17, 2021.
The training, aimed at improving the capacity of energy service providers such as retailers, representatives of major manufacturers, distributors and dealers in the states is the outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both organizations in May 2021, to improve the market for renewable energy in the Niger Delta of Nigeria through a Retailers Linkage Program.
The Retailers Linkage Program is targeted at increasing the awareness of young entrepreneurs from retail enterprises in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States about procurement procedures and requirements, as well as enhancing networking opportunities among major dealers. The mentorship and capacity development program will on-board 50 renewable energy sector retailers in the Niger Delta region, and also the improve service delivery, profitability and business management skills of the young entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the opening session of the training, PIND’s Access to Energy Manager, Teslim Giwa, said “this is essentially a business linkages program designed particular for the Solar PV markets. Through this partnership, 50 MSMEs in the Niger Delta (Delta-10, Bayelsa-25, and Rivers -15) will be on-boarded as retailers of renewable energy products. Also, we will be building their capacity as Solar PV professionals in an entry level so they can become installers, and support the industry”.
Giwa explained that the Retailers Linkage Program fits into PIND’s Access to Energy model as “communities that didn’t have access to energy and renewable energy technologies before, can now be introduced to the business modules which hands them electricity at a very affordable cost. While it is an income generating activity for the entrepreneurs, the beneficiaries in the value chain are going to have access to electricity on the other hand. The energy needs of businesses and households in rural and peri-urban communities will be met from this two-pronged approach”.
According to Tayo Emmanuel Kehinde, CEO of Vectis – the lead training organization for the Retailers Linkage Program, “the training is expected to yield a huge result financially to enable young entrepreneurs build their careers and create other income streams for themselves’’. He added that ’’the mentorship will also make the participants understand there are untapped opportunities around renewable energy. The onboarding of participants will register them to companies, link them to products and give them access to support. Resultantly, they will be able to reach out to more communities either in clusters or as individuals. They will see the opportunity to improve their lives”.
Rukky Iriferi, a female participant of the ongoing program, expressed her gratitude to PIND and DMG Events for prioritizing inclusiveness and female participation in the Retailers Linkage Program, adding that at the end of the training, she will project the benefits of solar home systems (SHS) to all and sundry.
In a call to action, Giwa highlighted the need for government, companies and private sectors to partner with PIND to improve the economic and social welfare of the people in the Niger Delta.
About PIND
The Foundation for Partnerships Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) is a Nigerian non-profit organization working to promote peace and equitable economic growth in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region by forging multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships at the regional, national and international levels. PIND works closely with numerous partners to implement collaborative market-based, community-owned programs to mitigate conflicts and boost economic opportunities for local businesses, ensuring that economic progress occurs in a systemic, inclusive, and sustainable manner. Since 2010, PIND and partners have strengthened and stabilized Niger Delta communities by reducing poverty, powering coastline communities, nurturing employment, fostering stability, and enabling development. Learn more about PINDfoundation.org.
for any info