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The Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce (GYCC) has on Friday, 26 th February, 2021 commenced a week-long training programme for 25 young entrepreneurs to build their capacity on product packaging and branding. The training will enable them compete in the local and international markets, as well as give them the chance to take part in the upcoming Trade Fair and coaching programme to help them sustain their businesses and leverage on the existing AfCFTA opportunities. The week-long training which is held at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) conference Hall, Bakau, is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development Project (EPSD) through the National Youth Council (NYC). Babucarr Kebbeh, GYCC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), said their chamber of commerce is the voice of young entrepreneurship in The Gambia. "We are a trade support organisation that mobilises young African entrepreneurs in The Gambia to improve their lives and give them a voice," he said. He added that they create space by organizing national and regional exhibitions, training, and business coaching programmes and providing life skills to successful entrepreneurs. Representing the Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment (MoTIE), Basiru Secka, Principal Employment Economist and Activity Manager, said GYCC has been a close partner of MoTIE, adding the partnership has yielded fruitful cooperation that led to significant achievements over the years. Secka said MoTIE is grateful for the giant strives they continue to make in mitigating youth unemployment in The Gambia, while saying that his ministry's door is open for any support when the need arises. He assured his ministry's full support to the attainment of the set goals and objectives. Fatoumata Sambou, Partnership and Project Manager for Thunderfund, congratulated the participants for taking time to attend the training and urged them to take it seriously. She said packaging is very important in every business. Omar Bah, a representative of the National Youth Council (NYC), encouraged the trainees to do more research regarding entrepreneurship, and assured them NYC's support through the GYCC.

Applications for the SAB Foundation's 11th annual Social Innovation Awards and 6th annual Disability Empowerment Awards deadline have been extended to midday 8 April 2021. This extension will provide interested applicants the opportunity to apply and stand a chance of winning R1.3-million in funding. Eligible entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to apply. Bridgit Evans, SAB Foundation Director explains that the awards promote innovation and help entrepreneurs push-boundaries in their concept development. Over the years, we have seen entrepreneurs who had barely more than an idea when they started with us, go on to reach national and even international significance in addressing complex social problems in efficient and sustainable ways. With the world being where it is right now, we are excited to see what emerges through this application process. We always look forward to seeing the innovations that emerge each year. The awards aim to empower innovative entrepreneurs to develop unique products and services that assist the countys most vulnerable communities. Winning social innovators stand the chance of receiving R200 000 to R1.3-million in funding for their innovations along with valuable business coaching and technical support. The SAB Social Innovation and Disability Awards Applications for the awards opened on 25 February and close on 31 March 2021. Interested applicants must apply via the online SAB Foundation porta l. The Social Innovation Awards target innovators, social entrepreneurs, institutions, and social enterprises that are early-stage startups with prototypes that aim to tackle social challenges. Requirements for this category are that the products, services, business model, and processes must directly address challenges faced by low-income women, youth, people living with disabilities, or individuals living in rural areas. The Disability Empowerment Awards focus on awarding social enterprises that have developed innovative solutions aimed at improving access to the economy or as a general solution for individuals living with disabilities. In addition, entrants proposed early-stage business model should be able to generate sustainable revenue. Ntandokazi Nodada, Social Innovation Specialist at the SAB Foundation, comments on the launch of this years award applications. These awards give us the opportunity to meet so many talented social innovators who are really eager and enthusiastic to drive change and improve the lives of people in their communities and beyond. According to the SAB Foundation, to date, the awards have deployed over R92-million in grant funding and supported 139 social innovators.

Future Females and Ideas Cartel have partnered to offer one lucky woman an entrepreneurial experience worth R70 000 in an ode to International Women's Month. Lauren Dallas, co-founder of Future Females explains that the competition is targeted at female entrepreneurs. We are thrilled to be working with Ideas Cartel this Womens Month to celebrate the incredible achievements of the global game-changers in the female space. We are at the forefront of the changing landscape of entrepreneurship, and we are inspired and motivated every day by the incredible women within our community and their desire to create a positive impact in the world. We are incredibly happy to be collaborating with Ideas Cartel to create this amazing prize for one lucky entrepreneur, and we look forward to announcing the winner next Friday The selected winner will be provided with a one-month stay at the Old Foundry Hotel in Cape Town, R300 off a return flight with local airline LIFT, a one-month membership to the Cartel Club, an exclusive business lunch with Lauren Dallas and Cernia Bezuidenhout, co-founders of Future Females, and a six-month membership to the Future Females Founders Club. In addition, the prize includes Future Females merchandise and one-on-one business coaching from the renowned experts of Future Females. The competition aims to shine a spotlight on the innovative female entrepreneurs in South Africa and to celebrate female entrepreneurship. How to enter To enter the incredible competition, applicants must follow Future Females and Ideas Cartel on Instagram, like the branded competition post, and tag two friends in the post with a comment on why they should win. Future Females and Ideas Cartel Future Females is the home of a global community of incredible women who are creating opportunities, advocating for equality, and starting businesses that provide jobs for hundreds of others. Through the Future Females business School, Founders Club, and Chapter Ambassadors, Future Females continue to push the envelope even further on education, funding, support, and so much more. Ideas Cartel support and align with the movement and the two organisations have been working together for the last few years to be the change they want to see in the world, especially in the entrepreneurial space and the advancement of women.

Siqalo Foods, RCL Foods, and BIDFOOD have launched a new programme to support the economic recovery of black-owned businesses in the hospitality sector in South Africa. The support programme is reportedly valued at R2-million in investment funding per year. Titled the Sekela Hospitality programme, it is a holistic, phased programme that provides support to black-owned businesses in the hospitality sector. This support funding is available to restaurants, catering companies, and accommodation businesses. The programme will offer access to capital and businesses stimulus along with business coaching. Edwin Ukama, Channel Marketing Executive at RCL FOODS, Your Food Partners comments on the launch of the new support programme. The industry has endured blow after blow during the COVID-19 pandemic with the international travel ban, curfew, recurring alcohol bans, maximum capacity, and social distancing restrictions all coming into play. Like most countries, South Africa cant afford for its hospitality industry to fail. We wanted to do our part and bring a solution to the fore where we can help drive a positive change and see business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their true potential. The Sekela Hospitality programme The first phase of the programme will enable 50% of successful applicants to join the programme and each of them will receive a 10% purchase discount on any food order placed through Bidfood. In the second phase, qualifying applicants will receive back-of-house training, business coaching, essential financial support, and business profiling. Applications Applications must be completed online . Interested applicants must adhere to the following criteria requirements to qualify for the programme: 1. The business must be restaurants, catering companies, or accommodation businesses. 2. Establishments must comprise a minimum of 10 tables service seating or operating as a Canteen or Catering for major events. 3. Qualifying Criteria evaluation form must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered 4. Applicants must be Majority ACI owned: +51% 5. The annual turnover of the qualifying entity was less than R10,000,000 (Ten Million Rand) in terms of the most recent audited financial statements or factual finding from an independent review, qualifying the entity as an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) and confirm that the company has a Black Shareholding (as defined per the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice) and definitions per the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 as Amended by Act No 46 of 2013 6. BEE Verification must be available on request 7. Company Registration Document must be available on request. 8. The entity must be an Independent outlet or establishment, meaning that it must not be part of a chain or franchise group 9. The business must be operating in major metropoles. 10. To Qualify for Purchase Discounts, orders must include at least 1 x RCL FOODS or Siqalo FOODS Product, food orders must be for a minimum of R10 000 per month. 11. Purchases are for own consumption only, not for resale. We look forward to hearing from motivated applicants who are eager to turn their establishments into professionally-run and financially viable businesses. With this programme we aim to bring much-needed life, passion, and positivity back into the hospitality industry and help shape dynamic business leaders, concludes Perpetua Ngulube, Brand Manager of Marvello and Meadowland.

Applications for the SAB Foundation s 11th annual Social Innovation and 6th Disability Empowerment Awards are now open. Bridgit Evans, SAB Foundation Director explains that the awards promote innovation and help entrepreneurs push-boundaries in their concept development. Over the years, we have seen entrepreneurs who had barely more than an idea when they started with us, go on to reach national and even international significance in addressing complex social problems in efficient and sustainable ways. With the world being where it is right now, we are excited to see what emerges through this application process. We always look forward to seeing the innovations that emerge each year. The awards aim to empower innovative entrepreneurs to develop unique products and services that assist the county's most vulnerable communities. Winning social innovators stand the chance of receiving R200 000 to R1.3-million in funding for their innovations along with valuable business coaching and technical support. The SAB Social Innovation and Disability Awards Applications for the awards opened on 25 February and close on 31 March 2021. Interested applicants must apply via the online SAB Foundation porta l. The Social Innovation Awards target innovators, social entrepreneurs, institutions, and social enterprises that are early-stage startups with prototypes that aim to tackle social challenges. Requirements for this category are that the products, services, business model, and processes must directly address challenges faced by low-income women, youth, people living with disabilities, or individuals living in rural areas. The Disability Empowerment Awards focus on awarding social enterprises that have developed innovative solutions aimed at improving access to the economy or as a general solution for individuals living with disabilities. In addition, entrants proposed early-stage business model should be able to generate sustainable revenue. Ntandokazi Nodada, Social Innovation Specialist at the SAB Foundation, comments on the launch of this year's award applications. These awards give us the opportunity to meet so many talented social innovators who are really eager and enthusiastic to drive change and improve the lives of people in their communities and beyond. According to the SAB Foundation, to date, the awards have deployed over R92-million in grant funding and supported 139 social innovators.