In East Africa, formal employment opportunities are often scarce, and entrepreneurship presents a path toward economic independence for many young women and men. TechnoServe is helping small shop owners in Kenya, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire become more profitable by connecting them with the knowledge, training, and tools they need to become successful retailers.
As a single parent, Justine once struggled to make ends meet. Her work mainly consisted of washing clothes for her neighbors, which barely provided enough money for necessities. After joining a TechnoServe program working to reduce youth unemployment in her area, she gained the skills she needed to start her own tailoring business.
For the past three years, TechnoServe has partnered with Citi Foundation to celebrate Global Community Day — an opportunity to give back to local communities through service. This year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Citi is partnering with TechnoServe’s Smart Duka program to distribute care packages to children’s homes and senior homes in Nairobi, Kenya.
TechnoServe’s projects yield a wealth of lessons that can help us – and others – improve our work. In this series, we reflect on the lessons we have learned from our programs in Africa, India, and Latin America, sharing insights from program staff.
In Mumbai, young people are providing peer mentorship to help other youth join India's workforce and contribute to the country's economic growth.
In Nairobi, volunteers from Citibank mentored young shopkeepers participating in the PAYED program, giving expert advice to help them build profitable enterprises for a better future.
TechnoServe and the Citi Foundation are partnering to help youth develop skills for achieving business success.
Innovations in the cashew value chain provide women the opportunity to become leaders in their families and communities.
Tumi Mphahlele struggled to find beauty products for her sensitive skin in South Africa, so she turned to her knowledge of biochemistry and began her own business.
Earlier this month, a U.S. Congressional delegation visited TechnoServe and Citi Foundation’s Box Shop program in Soweto, South Africa.
