The Chief Executive Officer of Davichi Farms, Chioma Echegwusi, has emerged as the overall winner of a $10,000 business grant in the first cohort of ‘JAMII Femmes’ initiative organized by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Women In Africa for female entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

Out of the 20 top participants, Echegwisi emerged as the overall winner of the initiative and was presented with a cheque of $10,000 alongside her husband.

President, of Women In Africa, Mrs Hafsat Abiola, announced the winner of its $10,000 grant prize in the closing ceremony of the first Cohort of the 2023 JAMII Femmes’ Initiative of Women in Africa and Coca-Cola Foundation.

Abiola stated that the Coca-Cola Foundation and WIA in 2022 joined forces to support 20,000 African women entrepreneurs through the ‘JAMII Femmes’ initiative. The initiative aimed to increase the impact of African women entrepreneurs on the African economy and to support the creation of innovative solutions.

“JAMII Femmes is a combination of languages, JAMII is Swahili, which means community and Femmes is French, which means Women, so the phrase JAMII Femmes means a ‘community for women,” she said.

Present at the ceremony was the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, who congratulated WIA for the achievement and admonished the female entrepreneurs to build the nation as they build their homes.

Also in attendance was the Public Affairs and Sustainability Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria, Mrs Nwamaka Onyemelukwe.

Echegwisi praised WIA and Coca-Cola Foundation for the opportunity to learn and expand her business.

She said, “Your expertise and insights have been invaluable in helping me restructure my business. The mentorship session has been a game-changer, allowing me to envision a clear path forward. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn and apply these strategies.”

Echegwisi expressed her excitement and eagerness to support other female entrepreneurs.

She said she was committed to fostering economic growth, providing mentorship, and creating opportunities for women-led businesses.

According to her, “This is a privilege and I don’t take it for granted. I intend to equip other female entrepreneurs with all I have learned. There is so much we can accomplish to move the country and the continent forward, and we need each other.

“I am truly grateful for your support and look forward to continued collaboration and growth together.

I am so grateful to WIA, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Honoris United University, and Touch Point for the opportunity.”

Source: Punch