MTN, UN Women Sign MoU To Empower 200 in Kano, Cross River

The MTN Foundation and UN Women have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos to empower 200 women from Kano and Cross River states. The partnership aims to provide capacity building, digital and financial inclusion, market access, and the establishment of processing hubs.

Odunayo Sanya, the Executive Director of the MTN Foundation, revealed that the organization has been actively integrating gender issues into its programs for several years. The foundation has achieved a 43.7% female participation across its initiatives and aims for a 50/50 gender balance by 2030. Sanya highlighted the importance of empowering women, stating that they can become multipliers who transform their communities and strengthen the economy.

The Y'elloPreneur initiative, launched by the MTN Foundation, targets female entrepreneurs who face challenges in accessing capacity, funding, and markets. Since its inception, the initiative has provided N304 million to 122 female entrepreneurs and built capacity for over 6,000 female entrepreneurs.

UN Women Country Representative, Beatrice Eyong, emphasized the significance of the partnership in bringing rural women into the digital economy. The project was selected for Kano and Cross River states due to their strong agricultural activities, where Kano is known for rice production and Cross River for cassava production. Eyong stated that rural women often face difficulties accessing the digital economy, and this partnership will help address that gap.