Renaissance Africa Awards Business Grants to 215 Niger Delta Youths

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has awarded business grants to 215 young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta after a rigorous selection process that drew more than 21,000 applications, the company announced at a graduation and award ceremony held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Vice President of Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Africa, Mr Igo Weli, disclosed that the 215 beneficiaries emerged as top performers following training and business-plan development.

He described the overwhelming number of applications as proof that the region is not short of ideas or ambition despite tough economic conditions.

“Thousands of young men and women across the region are developing ideas, identifying opportunities and seeking opportunities to build businesses,” Weli said.

“Consequently, this initiative is part of Renaissance Africa’s broader efforts to invest in people and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta.”

Weli advised the new entrepreneurs to embrace discipline, patience and consistency, urging them to focus on solving real problems and building customer trust.

“Success is not measured only by how much money you make, but also by how many opportunities you create for others,” he said.

The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the NNPC Renaissance Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise, a new enterprise development platform designed to build on the 22-year legacy of the company’s LiveWIRE programme.

Weli noted that LiveWIRE trained about 11,000 young entrepreneurs across the Niger Delta and supported thousands of businesses that remain operational.

Olanrewaju Igandan, Acting Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, commended Renaissance Africa for sustaining the initiative and told the graduates that what they received went beyond a certificate.

“What you take away from this room today is just more than a certificate. What you take away is empowerment,” Igandan said.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Anita Ngere, founder of Nebis Tech, said the programme gave her clarity, confidence and exposure that accelerated her business.

She said the seed funding helped her acquire needed items while the training encouraged her to pursue further grants and incubation opportunities.