The economic empowerment of women is a core pillar of the Sir John Ndukwe Legacy Foundation. On June 5, 2026, the foundation completed the first batch of micro-grant disbursements to 50 female retail business owners located in the Jikwoyi market area.
Each recipient received interest-free seed capital and tools suited to their trade. These small-scale entrepreneurs run businesses ranging from vegetable kiosks and tailoring shops to mini-convenience stalls. Without access to traditional banking facilities, many of these women have struggled with predatory local moneylenders charging up to 50% interest rates.
More Than Just Financial Capital
Recognizing that money alone is not sufficient to guarantee business success, SJN-LF structured the grants to include a mandatory business mentoring framework. Before receiving the capital, recipients attended a three-day intensive workshop covering basic bookkeeping, pricing strategies, inventory management, and digital payment systems.
"With this interest-free capital, I have bought three bags of rice and two cartons of cooking oil directly from wholesalers. I can now sell at a profit and feed my children without fear." ā Mrs. Comfort Obi, Beneficiary
Monitoring and Cooperative Networks
Over the next six months, field officers from the foundation will visit each beneficiary weekly to review bookkeeping records and provide troubleshooting advice. The beneficiaries have also been grouped into support cooperatives to encourage saving pools and collaborative wholesaling purchasing.