International Breweries empowers young entrepreneurs with N60m grant

Business a.m

International Breweries Plc has offered 50 young entrepreneurs grants totaling N60 million through its subsidiary, the International Breweries Foundation.

In total, 50 entrepreneurs, 26 female and 24 male, received grants ranging from N750,000 to N3 million, which will be used to scale their businesses.

The 8th edition of the Kickstart Awards Ceremony has provided grants to 425 entrepreneurs, creating 1,600 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. This year’s theme is “From Ideas to Impact: Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth.

Speaking at the event,Carlos Coutino, managing director, International Breweries plc, said the initiative reflects the company’s vision of positively impacting the societies where it operates.

Coutino further noted that the initiative is not only a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, but also part of the company’s mission to empower young people and build their confidence, reduce unemployment, and support individual creativity and capacity.

“This year, our theme: “From Ideas to Impact: Nurturing Young Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth,” resonates deeply as it captures our vision to contribute and support Nigeria’s economy for prosperity. I am very excited as I stand before you today because Kickstart is not merely a project, but a passion for us at International Breweries Plc.

“Kickstart has been a beacon of hope touching countless lives through its commitment to effectively help young Nigerians navigate the entrepreneurship journey. This has contributed meaningfully to transforming the landscape of small, medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria,” he said.

Peter Bankole, chairman of the International Breweries Foundation Advisory Board, commended the Kickstart Project for aligning with the Nigerian government’s aspirations to create an environment that encourages businesses to thrive.

“The Kickstart initiative aligns with the government’s vision of a better Nigeria, where youth have sufficient jobs, decent wages, and the ability to manufacture, create, and invent more goods and services. The initiative promotes a thriving business environment and ignites a culture of mutual respect. Let’s build a better Nigeria together, Bankole said.