The Frugal Empowerment Foundation (FEF) continues to make strides in securing strategic partnerships for the 2025 Small Business Empowerment (SBE) Project, as it moves closer to providing grants and training for 500 women petty traders across multiple states.
On Friday, March 29, 2025, FEF had a productive meeting with the FCT Manager of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mrs. Mary Kolawole, at their office in Abuja. Mr. Frugal, FEF’s Founder, was also present via phone, reinforcing FEF’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment. During the discussions, Mrs. Kolawole emphasized that FEF’s project objectives align with SMEDAN’s mandates, making them willing and ready to support the initiative in Abuja and other states where the project is being implemented.
She assured FEF that our proposal has been forwarded to the Director General’s office for review and approval, with a follow-up underway. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of building and maintaining a strong database to effectively track and support beneficiaries, ensuring long-term monitoring of their progress. She also highlighted that the women targeted for this initiative fall under the category of “Nano Traders”, a vital economic group, and expressed SMEDAN’s commitment to providing them with essential business training to enhance their success and sustainability.
Additionally, FEF was advised to keep SMEDAN informed about the registration process and the number of women enrolled. To ensure accessibility for beneficiaries across Abuja’s six geopolitical zones, including Abaji, Kuje, Kwali, and Karu, at least two training locations will be established to reduce transportation challenges.
A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for April 12, 2025, at SMEDAN’s office, with Mr. Frugal, Project Supervisor Mr. Chuks Ochei, and Coordinator Miss Grace Ojiji expected to attend. The SMEDAN team commended FEF for its impactful work and pledged ongoing support to ensure the project’s success.
This partnership marks another milestone in FEF’s mission to empower women, strengthen businesses, and uplift communities. As registration begins in April, we encourage corporate organizations, individuals, and NGOs to collaborate and support this life-changing initiative.
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