AFARD, a Nebbi-based non-profit, facilitated a business dialogue on Friday that linked more than 80 young women entrepreneurs from Nebbi, Zombo, and Pakwach districts to buyers, financial institutions, and private-sector actors. The event, part of the Sustainable Inclusive Youth Employment Pathways (SIYEP) programme, aimed to address barriers such as limited market access, financing, and mentorship faced by women with vocational skills. The dialogue, held at AFARD’s offices, included buyer-producer engagements, financial services clinics, and business matchmaking, aligning with the programme’s five-year goal to equip 258,000 young women with market-relevant skills and connect 235,000 to dignified employment, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
Stephen Nimungu, AFARD’s Marketing and Entrepreneurship Officer, emphasized the initiative’s focus on bridging the gap between skill acquisition and income generation. “We want young women to have direct market linkages, which is why we brought in private-sector actors,” he said. The programme targets economically disadvantaged women aged 15–35, with a dual pathway strategy: training in male-dominated trades like welding and carpentry, and agricultural ventures such as high-value crop cultivation. Justine Abunia, director of Elite Skilling Centre Nebbi, highlighted the impact of the programme, noting that her centre trained 100 women in tailoring and hairdressing, transforming their passions into income-generating activities. Robinah Afoyorwoth, a beneficiary, credited AFARD with providing a sewing machine that enabled her to launch a tailoring business, stating, “I am now able to sew many fashions of clothes and serve customers in town.”
Nebbi District Commercial Officer Jennifer Atim Vida underscored the role of vocational training in economic empowerment, stating, “When you skill young women, you empower them economically, which the government supports.” AFARD, which has operated in the West Nile sub-region for over two decades, reported that the SIYEP programme has already created opportunities for skills providers and participants alike. The initiative’s emphasis on both technical and agricultural skills reflects a broader effort to diversify income sources for women in a region where traditional employment avenues remain limited. By fostering partnerships with financial institutions and buyers, AFARD aims to sustainably integrate young women into the formal economy, aligning with national development priorities.
The dialogue marked a pivotal step in AFARD’s mission to address systemic challenges facing youth employment. With over 80 women directly engaged in the event, the organisation plans to scale the model to reach its target of 258,000 beneficiaries by 2030. The programme’s dual focus on trades and agriculture not only diversifies economic opportunities but also challenges gender norms in traditionally male-dominated sectors. As participants like Afoyorwoth demonstrate, the initiative’s success hinges on practical support, such as tools and market access, which transform training into tangible livelihoods. AFARD’s collaboration with local skills providers and private-sector stakeholders underscores a community-driven approach to sustainable development in Nebbi and surrounding areas.
AFARD Connects Over 80 Nebbi Women Entrepreneurs to Markets, Finance in Initiative