CANADA: Gov’t announces initiative to empower Nigerian women, youths

Canada has announced a new initiative aimed at empowering women and youth in northern Nigeria, according to Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development of Canada. In a statement shared with Daily Trust on Monday, Canada said the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-food Systems Empowering Women and Youth (RISE) project will directly support approximately 450 women- and […]

Canada has announced a new initiative aimed at empowering women and youth in northern Nigeria, according to Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development of Canada.
In a statement shared with Daily Trust on Monday, Canada said the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-food Systems Empowering Women and Youth (RISE) project will directly support approximately 450 women- and youth-owned or led agribusinesses and 250 smallholder farmer cooperatives.
“The project will foster inclusive economic growth and resilience, and result in the creation of 8,000 jobs. With a budget of more than 20.2 billion naira (Can$19.2 million), this initiative seeks to economically empower women and youth, and enhance food security in Nigeria’s Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna states.

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“It will improve the productivity and climate resilience of smallholder farmers in key agriculture value chains and raise the business performance of women- and youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,” it said.
The 5-year project will be implemented by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) of Canada, a non-governmental organisation, along with Nigerian partners.