Women Accelerator's Programme: Meet the mentees | Part III
Women in business are at the heart of FAO’s mandate to reduce rural poverty and achieve food security for all.
That’s why in October 2022, 50 women entrepreneurs working in the agrifood sector across Sub-Saharan Africa were chosen to participate in the first year of the FAO-IAFN Women’s Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs in Africa.
Participants were selected from an open call for expressions of interest by a panel of experts from FAO and IAFN.
CONNECT Portal will be regularly featuring the stories of the hard-working women who took part in the programme. You can read the second in our series of articles on these women below.
Ogola Lois Kange
Ogola Lois Kange is the CEO of Smiley’z Mobile Kitchen Limited, an agrifood processing company focused on realizing the potential of smallholder farmers to help fight against food waste.
Smiley’z’s mission is to help achieve food security by ensuring a continuous supply of affordable and healthy tomatoes and other agricultural products, while maintaining original product flavour and taste. Of the 3.6 million metric tonnes of tomatoes produced in Nigeria every year, almost half are lost after being harvested.
Smiley’z realized that most of these annual tomato production losses take place in the first quarter of the year, largely caused by poor handling, processing, storage and transportation services. Their flagship product, tomato paste made with no additives or preservatives that boasts a one-year shelf life, was the company's first step towards avoiding current levels of waste while providing nutritious and affordable packaged food to the entire populace.
The venture is also dedicated to supporting women-led farmer cooperatives and groups to improve their farming practices, as well as empowering them to bring their products to more profitable markets.
“SME Accelerator is saturated with impactful insights and hands-on learning. From taking courses and earning badges, to workshops where you get to interact directly with coaches! One of the great lessons I took out is how important it is to have written procedures and processes for your business.”
Oluebube Akah
Oluebube “Ebube” Akah is the founder and CEO of Aga's Wholesome Foods Limited, a health-focused agro-processing company that manufactures natural beverage powders, seasoning powders and immune-system boosters made from African ingredients. Before starting Aga's Wholesome Foods Limited, Ebube worked as an Audit Consultant with KPMG Nigeria for over seven years.
Due to this experience, Ebube has in-depth knowledge in the set-up of accounting and operations structures, pricing, team management and growth, digital marketing, product formulation, recipe development, audit and internal controls, financial reporting, budgeting, and start-up funding.
Aga’s Wholesome Foods Limited started operations in January 2018 as a one-woman kitchen operation and has since expanded into a team of ten staff working from a moderate-sized factory space.
“The programme has been so amazing and has provided me with the one-on-one mentorship experience I have been longing for. My mentor Tatiana Campos has been resourceful, she really wants to see me win. She has connected me to people and resources that will enable me to hit my goal of expanding our operations to global markets …I am so grateful to FAO for this programme, and it will always be part of our success story.”
Rhoda Bianca Mkumbwa
Rhoda Bianca Mkumbwa is a feminist leader, fish trader and the current Secretary General of the Malawi Chapter of the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFishNet). She has extensive experience in project management as a gender researcher and analyst.
As a member of Chibvala cooperative, established in 2015 with 106 members, Rhoda and her affiliated women's groups in AWFishNet have the opportunity to share business experiences and opportunities.
With support from World Fish, the cooperative began constructing fish ponds and has since harvested and sold fish through group and club sales. The cooperative's primary customers are supermarkets within the city of Lilongwe.
“The program has allowed me to connect with an extensive network of agripreneurs and professionals. This high-level connection will continue to pay off through sharing experiences and business opportunities. The courses provided a vibrant learning experience that has given me a roadmap and tools to channel my ambitions and grow my business. Overall, the courses were very interesting and valuable.”
