In the last seven years, the Women Empowerment and Youths Entrepreneurship (WAY) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and executed by the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), has catalyzed remarkable change in seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State.
Benefiting LGAs including Bauchi, Toro, Warji, Ganjuwa, Jama’are, Dass, and Katagum, the project concluded its activities in December 2023, marking a successful journey towards enhancing the performance of women and youth-led businesses.
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During the local close-out event in Bauchi, Mrs. Lydia John Shehu, Director General of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), hailed MEDA as a transformative partner significantly impacting the socioeconomic fabric of the state.
Emerald Capital Management Consults, a key facilitator, highlighted the project’s impact, citing over N1 billion mobilized in savings by rural women and youth-led businesses from 443 communities across the seven LGAs.
Testimonials from the event showcased the project’s pivotal role, providing access to more than 9,000 agro-processing technologies and addressing critical issues such as early and forced marriages among women.
Acknowledging the project’s significance, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, the First Lady of Bauchi State, lauded MEDA and GAC for their contributions, recognizing the resilience of Bauchi’s women in confronting economic challenges.
In her closing remarks, she urged project partners to sustain the impactful legacy of the WAY project, emphasizing the continued empowerment of the state’s women.