ASSETS and Bellafricana SME Export Workshop

African Sustainable SME Export Trade Solutions (ASSETS) and Bellafricana present Repositioning Nigerian SMEs As A Catalyst To Achieve Rapid, Sustainable Growth In The Non-Oil Export Sector.

Have you ever asked yourself any of these questions?

• Can SMEs become major players in the non-oil export value chain?
• Should my company get involved in export?
• How do I know if my product is export ready?
• If I don’t have a product yet what can I do?
• If I am a marketer can I get involved in export?
• Should I switch from import to export?

If you want answers to any of these questions, then you don’t want to miss a golden opportunity at the SME Export Workshop to get practical, down to earth answers to these and many other questions. You will also get the latest information about new incentives and critical issues affecting the non-oil export sector in Nigeria.


ASSETS and Bellafricana SME Export Workshop

WHERE?

At a special workshop to prepare SMEs for opportunities and challenges in the non-oil export sector at Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

WHEN?

Wednesday 29th June 2016 from 9am – 5pm (Registration commences at 8.30am)

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Early bird fee: ₦12,000 (If payment is made on or before 17th of June)
Fee: ₦15,000 (After 17th of June till 27th of June, subject to availability of space)

HOW TO PAY:

Make payment to Bellafricana, Zenith Bank, Account Number 1013734944

Use your company name as reference. Once payment is made kindly scan deposit slip or proof of transfer to info@bellafricana.com, cc: smeexportsolutions@gmail.com with name and phone number.

TO REGISTER: Go to export.bellafricana.com

CONTACT NUMBER:

For sponsorship and more information, call Bukky on 08086363970

Participants will also benefit from the following:

Presentation on the NEXIM Non-oil export Stimulation Facility and other Export financing packages

Information about market access programmes including:

• ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and ECOBIZ
• USA – African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
• European Union – EU Export Helpdesk and EPA

Assessment of Samples:

(One product per participant) and contact with officials from Government and International development agencies who will highlight the special facilities assistance and training available for Nigerian export-oriented SME producers and marketers.

Presentations that will cover:

1. The importance of market entry requirements and specifications
2. Quality Assurance/Control,
3. Certification,
4. Packaging and Labelling,
5. Costing and Pricing,
6. Non-tariff Barriers,
7. Phytosanitary Issues,
8. Use of social media and ICT as platforms to promote and export products made by Nigerian SMEs.

WORKSHOP COORDINATOR: Ms Shade Bembatoum-Young, CEO African Sustainable SME Export Trade Solutions (ASSETS)

RECAP: Excellence in life series 2.0

In spite of the current downward trajectory of the Nigerian economy, it is believed that an individual can be economically buoyant by discovering, nurturing and maximizing new opportunities.

This was the submission of speakers at the Excellence In Life Series (EIL) Series 2.0 held on Saturday, May 21, 2016, at the Standard Alliance Events Hall, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

With the theme, Breaking New Grounds, the speakers such as, Dr Femi Paul, who is also the Convener, Excellence In Life; Bukky George – Founder & CEO, HealthPlus Pharmacy; Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, First Bank offered valuable insights and ideas on how to spot, seize and maximize opportunities in the current economic downturn.

Bukky George - Founder/CEO, Health Plus

“Most people don’t listen until they are in the classroom. But the best lessons are taught along the way…in the ordinary course of daily life,” said Dr Femi Paul at the event.

He charged the audience to aspire to break new grounds. He said, “Ordinary people look and admire; winners look, observe and aspire.”

He further noted that “aspiration fuels Pertinent Enquiries and Propels People; admiration only generates simplistic applause and awe.”

Another speaker at the event, Bukky George, emphasized the need for an individual to explore his or her passion, noting that it is only when the individual did that he could get to the promised land. She also mentioned that it was important for people to seek to fill the gap that exists in their areas of specialization instead of just making up numbers.

“Your promised land is where your passion lies. It is where your heart quickens, where you feel an almost supernatural hunger to intervene and improve a situation,” said Bukky George.

“Seek out a gap in a product or service delivery that you have the qualification, skill, experience, inspiration and passion to fill. Fill the gap excellently.”

APPLY NOW: AFRICA STARTUPS CHALLENGE NOW OPEN

Do you want to partner with a global financial services company to accelerate your business?

Then get involved in the Africa Startups Challenge!

Thomson Reuters in partnership with Venture Capital For Africa (VC4A) are launching an initiative to provide a platform for startups to partner with us as you grow your startup into a lucrative business.

The Africa Startups Challenge seeks to find the best new companies coming out of Africa. As a large continent made up of many emerging markets Africa is home to some exciting startups who are able to leverage new technology and new business models to leap-frog the current players. We want to know which startups are important and why.

Thomson Reuters aims to empower Africa’s success by providing government, financial, academic and business solutions that have helped move from aid-based economies to self-sustaining, knowledge-based economies for almost 150 years.

What is in it for you?

• The Challenge will provide you with the opportunity at a potential partnership with a global financial services and professional information company.
• Increase visibility for your startup by being showcased on our global investment platform called Eikon.
• Opportunity to attend the Thomson Reuters Africa Summit 2016.
• Cash prize for the winning startup.

If your startup is in FinTech or related industries, then this is the challenge for you!

Thomson Reuters position as a trusted provider in financial markets makes it attractive for FinTech startups to work with us as a partner. Our answer to the changing environment is an open platform approach – leveraging our depth and breadth, and enabling collaborative partnerships focused on innovation.

This Challenge seeks the most promising startups in Africa. Key areas of focus are the following 10 categories:

• Agri-tech (including land administration)
• Big data analytics
• Blockchain
• Digital government
• Education
• Internet of Things
• Fintech
• Media-tech
• Mobile technology
• Supply chain

Click here to apply now. 

The Excellence in Life series 2.0 is happening this Saturday

The current state of our nation leaves much to  desired. From the plunging Economy to insecurity. The masses are wailing and the rich also cry. From the constant decline of the value of the Naira to the hike in fuel prices which has catapulted inflation and taken it to an all time high, the common Nigerians have had to bear the brunt! 

It is quite convenient to heap the bulk of blame on the government as usual but truth be told the citizens are equally accountable. 

One major syndrome that has eaten deep into the fabric of our society is MEDIOCRITY and it is responsible for most of the pains we suffer today. We did not get to where we are in one day. It was a gradual process of letting mediocrity get the better of us and today it has become gangrenous thus becoming an uphill task to mitigate against. 

“I will mange it”, “It’s not so bad”, “It’s fair enough” “What more can I do” “I have tried, jare” “I can’t kill myself joorrr”… are very familiar expressions, aren’t they? We either encounter or even pronounce them ourselves regularly. What belies these otherwise insouciant and unperturbed proclamations is the syndrome called MEDIOCRITY!

Mediocrity is clearly a negative trait we should avoid like a plague. If you do not actively REJECT mediocrity, you are unwittingly choosing it over EXCELLENCE and will be running life’s relay littered with broken dreams and failed expectations and at the end of the finishing line you will be crowned with frustrations and unhappiness. 

Everywhere you go to today, across our beloved country Nigeria, mediocrity and impunity stare you in the face.  This sad development which pervades most facets of our national and private lives has now become a Sub-Culture. This also explains why most Nigerians prefer foreign products to Made-In-Nigeria ones, irrespective of price.  The reason for this is that the production of most foreign goods are driven by a Culture of Excellence.

Thankfully many Nigerians have taken the bull by the horn and have gone all out on the fight against mediocrity. One of such Nigerians is Dr. Femi Paul. 

Dr. Femi Paul, a Lawyer by profession, is the Senior Pastor of Grace Assembly Churches, Lagos. He attended the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. He later went on to the University of London for two Masters Degrees in Shipping Law and Intellectual Property. He is also a certified graduate of the Oxford Princeton School of Petroleum Studies.  He practiced law in Lagos for many years, before moving into the Shipping & Maritime Industry.  His last foray in secular business was into the Oil & Gas Industry, after which he settled into full time ministry in 2001.

Dr. Femi Paul has delivered various papers, keynotes and workshops on Excellence In Life at several organizations, institutions and conferences around the world.  In 2015, he was honored with a Doctorate Degree by Northwestern Christian University for his excellent contribution towards Christian Education. He is also a pastor and the founder of Grace Assembly Church, a ministry committed to inspiring people and transforming lives.  

Dr. Femi Paul is mostly known for his exceptional “Spirit and Lifestyle of Excellence”. This has earned him many accolades and also inspired him to birth the vision “Life Class with Femi Paul”, and also the Excellence-In-Life Series where he shares Life Transforming Principles that shaped his life. 

Dr. Femi Paul is the Convener of the EXCELLENCE-IN-LIFE SERIES, a National Transformation Initiative aimed at eradicating the prevalent culture of mediocrity in our society. According to Dr. Femi Paul, "It is in my patriotic quest to salvage our country, build a culture of excellence and leave a lasting legacy for future generations that I present to you, THE EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SERIES!"

The EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SERIES, a bi-monthly meeting is the tool by which the visionary, Dr. Femi Paul hopes to eradicate the prevalent Culture of Mediocrity and propagate in its place, the much needed Culture of Excellence.  This initiative promises to transform mindsets and inevitably optimize the potential of individuals, institutions and the nation alike.

Excellence-In-Life, is not another Certification Course, because when it comes to Excellence, you don’t tender certificates.  Excellence is simply about doing things well, and it is WAR AGAINST MEDIOCRITY!

 

Due to his passion for eradicating mediocrity and extolling the spirit of Excellence, Pastor Femi Paul has made The Excellence in Life Series a Bi- Monthly event featuring world class speakers. The next one holds this Saturday the 21st of May 2016 and speakers like Ibukun Awosika, the Chairman of First Bank PLC and Mrs Bukky George of the Health Plus Pharmacy chains will be some of those imparting the wealth of knowledge and experience in many Nigerian who will be attending.

Join in the WAR AGAINST MEDIOCRITY!

Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2016 for Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide ($USD 20,000 in Funding)

It's that time again. The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards 2016 for Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide ($USD 20,000 in Funding) is now open.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2016 10a.m 

https://goo.gl/Nn8Wxk

Since 2006, the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards has supported over a 100 female entrepreneurs worldwide. Each year, 18 finalists are selected, 6 of whom will become Laureates.

The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards is an international business plan competition created in 2006 by Cartier, the Women's Forum, McKinsey & Company and INSEAD business school to identify, support and encourage projects by women entrepreneurs.

Read the full report here 

The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards aims to encourage the most vulnerable category of entrepreneurs in their most vulnerable phase: women entrepreneurs starting up. Since inception in 2006, they have reviewed plans from over 140 promising female business-owners and recognized 44 Laureates.

Eligibility Criteria

The project to be considered for the Cartier Women's Initiative Awards must be an original for-profit business creation in its initial phase (2 to 3 years old) led by a woman.

The “for-profit” requirement: the business submitted for the Award must be designed to generate revenues. We do not accept non-profit project proposals.

The “originality” requirement: we want your project to be a new concept, conceived and imagined by the founder and her team and not a copy or subsidiary of an existing business.

The “initial phase” requirement: the project you submit should be in the first stages of its development with at least two years of operations and sales to account for but no older than 3 years. 

This means that in order for the business to be considered eligible, it must have been incorporated between August 2013 and August 2014.

Benefits:

Finalists get 

• Access to coaching
• Entrepreneurial workshops
• Media visibility

The Laureates receive a unique and comprehensive support package: 

• US $ 20, 000 of funding
• One year of coaching
• Networking opportunities
• Media exposure.
• One-to-one personalized business coaching

During the Awards Week, all participants will be exposed to 

• Entrepreneurship workshops
• Press conference
• Presentation to the jury members
• Networking opportunities

EVENT: Success Circle Africa Conference 2016

Success circle Africa has been conceived as a platform to spread the empowering message of what true entrepreneurship is and not just share the motivational success stories but also show practical ways to create a thriving African business enterprise that would contribute real value to the local and global economy.

THEME : INNOVATION & COLLABORATION AS CATALYSTS FOR GROWTH IN AFRICAN BUSINESSES
Our goal through success circle Africa is to spread our message of value driven entrepreneurship across multiple platforms using real media, community groups and social media as drivers of this message of change and transformation to enterprises in Africa.

Our annual conference would be our yearly gathering to bring together a community of aspiring and established entrepreneurs around the African continent to reinforce this message and celebrate the success stories of triumph and accomplishments against all odds.

The Details of the event;

Date: 26th May 2015
Location: The Wheatbaker Hotel, 4 Onitolo (Lawrence road) Ikoyi
Event Start up Time: 10am

Confirmed speakers Include;

Mr James Agada; CEO, Computer Warehouse group, 

Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezeigbo; Co-founder, Falcon Group, 

Dr Enase Okonedo; Dean Of the Lagos Business School, 

Mr Michael Owolabi; Md Il Bagno, 

Mr Wole Faroun; Md Webmallng and many more.

We believe in the abundance of potential in Africa and for many, this conference and platform would be the necessary thrust for them to proceed in taking their business to the next level.

'Tale Alimi, Convener

Unreasonable Lab launches in Nigeria, To Prepare Startups For Investment

Unreasonable Ambition: How a movement of entrepreneurship training programs seeks to put a dent on poverty

Boulder, CO –On 6th of June to 10th of June 2016, 25 startups from across Nigeria will gather in Lagos for 5 days, alongside top investors and business mentors for Unreasonable Lab Nigeria, a five-day intensive training program preparing them to raise capital, replete with seasoned entrepreneurs and investors from across Nigeria serving as mentors.

Asked why they wanted to bring Unreasonable Labs to their country, Unreasonable Labs Nigeria’s founding team Olufemi Omotayo, Tito Philips, Jnr. and Michael Olorunninwo said: 

“For the first time in history, we have adopted a market economy. Our ongoing development cannot continue through aid and donation. There’s no other way to address our challenges but through entrepreneurship, innovation, and private sector. And Unreasonable Labs might be the best avenue to addressing these needs.”

“It’s amazing to see entrepreneurs creating companies that can really help a lot of people,” explains Teju Ravilochan, co-founder and CEO of Unreasonable Institute. Unreasonable Institute boasts successful alumni, including:

• Mosaic, the “solar bank” that started as an idea at Unreasonable Institute and now is the largest lender for home solar projects in the United States.
• Eneza, the fastest growing mobile education app in Africa, equipping 650,000 students in Kenya to gain access to tutoring and test prep on $10 phones.
• MANA Nutrition, which has cured over one million kids of severe acute malnutrition through a nutrient-enriched peanut butter.

The results are striking. 93% of the 150 startups in Unreasonable Institute’s portfolio have raised funding totaling over $100 million. And all together, those companies are benefitting 8 million lives.

But to Ravilochan and his team, it wasn’t enough. “We started Unreasonable Institute because we thought the best way to address billion-person problems was by helping entrepreneurs find solutions,” he explains. “But to have any chance of doing that, we need to find thousands of entrepreneurs and get them the people and resources they need to grow.”

Ravilochan noted Unreasonable Institute had one key barrier to scale. “Our model is high touch,” he explains. “Mentors spend a lot of time with our entrepreneurs.” Mentors (experienced business and social/environmental change leaders) each pick one company to work with for 6-12 months. “And we carefully match them based on diagnosing our entrepreneur’s needs and understanding the mentor’s skills.”

“Entrepreneurs get a lot of attention from mentors who come through the program. That’s what makes Unreasonable Institute so valuable for them.” says Ravilochan. “So we weren’t going to be able to maintain the quality of our support and work with a whole lot more entrepreneurs. So we figured, hey, what if we could just teach other people to do what we do?”

Enter Unreasonable Labs. “We packaged up our curriculum and built a way to train teams we think could do what we do,” says Banks Benitez, Vice President of Global Expansion at Unreasonable Institute. “The local teams that we find in new countries to run Labs can then recruit locally-based mentors and funders to support the startups they find.”

In 2015-2016, Unreasonable Institute has equipped 25 Labs in the locations below:






For more information about the #UnreasonableNaija event, kindly visit: www.unreasonableinstitute.org/accelerator/nigeria-2016/

Nigeria Contact:
Email: UnreasonableNG@gmail.com
Phone +234 817 672 8769
Twitter: @UnreasonableNG
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnreasonableNG/

ITS TYME Application - Junior achievement and Southern Business Academy

The Junior Achievement (JA) in conjunction with the southern business Academy in Nigeria is currently recruiting interested candidates to register for the following courses;

• Electrical Wiring & Technology (with Solar Panel/Inverter Installation)
•  Catering & Hotel management
• Photography & Video Coverage
• Painting & Paint making
• Building Technology
• Make-up, Gele tying, Beautifying
• Hairstyling
• Barbing
• Bead-making

DEADLINE

April 25th, 2016

This opportunity will train you to understand the core concepts in theory and demonstrated practices to make fantastic use of lessons learned and hence, build the confidence to transform this vocation into a meaningful and potentially rewarding career.

The program comes with essential resource materials that will inspire you to keep going.

You will also get opportunities to interact with notable professionals and participate in live projects, exhibitions and excursions.

ELIGIBILITY

Interested candidates must be willing to take trainings and demonstrate basic integrity and discipline. We require Nigerians who are willing to become agents of driving social development to the society.

Finally, candidates must be at least 18 years and not more than 25 years old by the time of application, and should demonstrate the ability to listen and understand Basic English.

Interviews begin on 20th of April, 2016

COST

Cost of training is FREE

To register, please download form at http://www.sbang.org/website-admissions/

Completed forms must be returned on or before 25th April, 2016

For more information, please call +234 803 480 1307, +234 806 139 7828, or visit www.sbang.org



You may also mail us at info@sbang.org

ABARI Bamboo sunglasses - Abari Abdulhamid Damilola #inthespiritofenterprise

Who would have thought, all that bamboo growing all over our land could be used to create really cool stuff. A few weeks back I read a feature on digest.bellafricana.com about a Ghanian lady who makes bicycles with bamboo and I was wowed.

Fast forward a few days and voila, bamboo again, but this time by a Nigerian making the coolest sunshades ever! You have got to read about him, and I agree with him, "Obe to dun, owo lo pa". Read the main story to find the translation ... lol

Enjoy.


Tell us about yourself

My name is Abari Abdulhamid Damilola, 27 year old (6th March 1989), from Lagos State, Nigeria. I am the first son and child of my Parent, and I have 3siblings. I am a graduate of Igbinedion University Okada, where I majored in Mechanical Engineering and I am currently pursing my MSc in Process Safety and Loss Prevention from University of Sheffield, UK.

I’m a typical Lagosian, born to hustle (legit), Engineering is my first love before I found business as my side chick, both of which complement each other, “Production and Management wise”, I am very versatile in my thinking and always wanting to solve problems, while I’m doing that I try to increase my source of income to become financially independent.

My Life philosophy : No body gets lucky unless they take the opportunities that come their way.

Tell us about your business

Business Name: ABARI Bamboo sunglasses

Started : January 2016

Why: Alternative to plastic sunglasses whose durability is not compared to Bamboo frame sunglasses

Information About the frames

THE FRAMES MODEL

CREAMIE MODEL
The Creamie model are made from ecological bamboo which is the original colour of the bamboo. This sunglasses are eco-friendly, water resistant, that float on water and Non-slippery when sweating unlike the plastic frame glasses.

They come with Wayfarer style, TAC polarized lenses providing full sun protection for your eyes from UV rays and strengthened flex-steel hinges.

COFFEE BROWN MODEL
Coffee model bamboo sunglasses are eco-friendly, look awesome, and they float on water. non-slippery when sweating and more reliable than the plastic frames.
They come in a Wayfarer style shape and suits most face notwithstanding the size of face

ACCESSORIES
Each pair comes in a hard bamboo case with a silk lens cloth, silk bag and a little gift.

LENSES
TAC (Tri Acetate Cellulose) polarized lenses offer superior visual and polarization clarity. They are hard coated to resist scratching and block out 100% of all harmful UV rays up to 400 nanometers, and are also lightweight and highly impact resistant.

LENS COLOURS
Available in Blue and Green, black other colours are coming out soon

What was your inspiration for starting this business?

I wanted to stand out from the crowd...as far as nigeria is concerned, I think I am one of the first to venture in this line...I have seen a few people also in the field of sunglasses but not with bamboo frames.

How did you get funding for your business?

Basically its been from my pocket, my savings from my previous jobs

What opportunities have you been able to leverage on in your business so far?

None yet as I have been running on my on resources, also the fact I am not presently in Nigeria as I am doing my Masters degree abroad.

What Challenges have you faced so far and how have you been able to overcome them?

Convincing people that the prize justifies the product...people expect me to sell as the same rate as the once on the street but as the adage goes

...a pot of soup that is sweet..the money involved is what "killed" it.

I am of the opinion if you can afford to buy a fake at 7000 naira then buying an original at 10000 naira is not too wide for a range.

How will you summarize the journey so far?

Challenging...mixing studies and business is two tasking but i'm still young and have got the ability to multitask.

Given the Chance, will you do this again?

Over and over again, infact I should have started earlier before the fake sunglasses flooded the market, with people thinking they are wearing the real deal... An average RayBan cost between $100-300 and what is sold in Nigeria is less than $5...

What lessons have you been able to learn from your journey so far that others should know.

When you try to solve a problem you can create a business out of it.

Everybody wants to wear sunglasses but people don't know the consequence of wearing a FAKE lens which is what is rampant in Nigeria.

Abari Sunglasses has a C.E and the lens are certified to protect from UV rays that has the potential to destroy human sights.

How can people connect with you

Contact details
Email: abaritm@yahoo.com
Instagram: @abaritm
Twitter:@abaritm

FoodConvee - Tele Ogundipe #inthespiritofenterprise

Once in a while, you just want to be treated to a good meal of "swallow" as we like to call it, paired with a correct Nigerian soup that has all the different types of meat and some snails. I know we are all claiming "fitfam" these days, but hey no harm in a good home cooked Nigerian meal. The challenge many of us have though is the time! Oh la la. Boy does it take time to put the soups together. Even tougher sometimes is getting the seasoning mix right, so you don't end up eating bland food or over seasoned food.

Our feature today is a woman who saw these challenges and decided to tackle them head on. In 15minutes or less you can have your Egusi or Ogbono ready to eat by just adding water and Palm Oil! How cool is that? Let's meet her...

Enjoy!

Tell us about yourself

My name is Tele Ogundipe. I have a Bachelors degree in Agriculture from Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile ife. I also have an MBA from Esut Business School. I have attended the School of entrepreneurship, (Edc) Pan Atlantic university.

Life is neither a tempest nor is it a midnight summer's dream. Every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.

Tell us about your business

Foodconvee is into the Processing of local food items for easy cooking with no preservatives.

What was your inspiration for starting this business?
Several reasons.
I observed that these days cooking is quite a chore due to hectic work life . Hence the resort to Asian easy to prepare and tasty Noddles. I believe in Nigeria and therefore decided to put Nigerian difficult to cook soups together. Process with spices for easy cooking and awesome taste.

How did you get funding for your business?

Initially savings, family and friends. I recently took a soft bank loan.

What opportunities have you been able to leverage on in your business so far?

I have had access to trainings and seminars from EDC, Google, Poize media Association. I am also a beneficiary of the Technology incubation Centre and manufacturers association. I have had Food Processing trainings with the Nigerian stored products research institute.

What Challenges have you faced so far and how have you been able to overcome them?

I have faced lots of challenges especially in terms of product acceptance. Being a new and unknown product consumers are a bit hesitant. But once the product is tested the feedback is always positive.

How will you summarize the journey so far?

The journey has been slow but steady

Given the Chance, will you do this again?

Yes

What lessons have you been able to learn from your journey so far that others should know.

Never give up on your dreams. The journey may be slow and long, filled with so many obstacles. But with persistent patience your are sure to make it to the end, the finish line.

How can people connect with you

Foodconvee. Com.ng, Facebook, Twitter.
017907615, 08140892759, 08173601628