Ripple Africa Trust Empowers Women in Suleja Through Waste Recycling Initiative
The Ripple Africa Trust Foundation (RATF) has trained approximately 200 women in the Suleja local government area on waste utilization for wealth creation.
During a one-day policy dialogue with stakeholders at Haske Luxury Hotel in Minna, the Niger State capital, Project Manager Debora Dabas shared these accomplishments.
In her opening address, Dabas explained that 200 women in Poulosa have been trained in recycling pure water larder bags into various products such as bags, wallets, foot mats, laptop bags, and prayer mats. They have also been equipped to collect plastic waste from their communities and turn it into income, with notable results.
Dabas emphasized that the Poulosa pilot scheme demonstrates how state policy can support the replication and scaling of similar initiatives across the region.
She called on the government to adopt a sanitation enterprise approach that combines regulation with incentives, cooperative support, and the local production of looms and other necessary inputs. This strategy could expand the Poulosa success story to Minna, the state capital, allowing more women to benefit from the program.
accomplishments.
In her opening address, Dabas explained that 200 women in Poulosa have been trained in recycling pure water larder bags into various products such as bags, wallets, foot mats, laptop bags, and prayer mats. They have also been equipped to collect plastic waste from their communities and turn it into income, with notable results.
Dabas emphasized that the Poulosa pilot scheme demonstrates how state policy can support the replication and scaling of similar initiatives across the state.
She called on the government to adopt a sanitation enterprise approach that combines regulation with incentives, cooperative support, and the local production of looms and other necessary inputs. This strategy could expand the Poulosa success story to Minna, the state capital, allowing more women to benefit from the program.
Earlier in his speech, the Director of Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Cooperative, Mallam Aliyu Danladi Umar, who represented the Permanent Secretary at the Stakeholders Policy Dialogue seminar, stated that empowering women and youth is among the ministry’s top priorities.
Mallam Danladi mentioned that this can be achieved by encouraging participation in the upcoming Trade Fair. The ministry will set up a Pavilion for them to exhibit their products and showcase their talents in transforming waste into wealth, with products being produced throughout the trade fair.
He disclosed that efforts are underway to empower cooperative societies within the state by working with the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture to facilitate easier access to loans.
He encouraged women and youths to form associations or groups and adopt cooperative names, making it easier to secure funding through the ministry.
Furthermore, “we are engaging with the Bank of Industry to develop a program specifically targeting women empowerment. Plans include enrolling women in financing initiatives and negotiating with the bank to obtain loans at single-digit interest rates, which will simplify access to funds for women in cooperative societies.”
The director also pledged to help the 200 women entrepreneurs who have completed their training to access loans from the Bank of Industry and grow their businesses in the state.
