Day: June 27, 2024

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 27, 2024/ — The African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) Bank of the Year 2024 (www.AfDB.org), Centenary Rural Development Bank, exemplifies the spirit of this year’s United Nations Micro, Small and Medium-size (MSMEs) Enterprises Day: “leveraging the power and resilience of MSMEs to accelerate sustainable development and eradicate poverty in times of multiple crises.”

To mark International MSME Day, we asked Centenary Bank’s General Manager for Commercial Banking and SME Banking, Michael Jjingo, about how joining the AFAWA Guarantee for Growth program helped his Bank support some of Uganda’s smallest women-led enterprises.

Question: Centenary Rural Development Bank has a [loan] product tailored to women entrepreneurs, tell us about that.

I run the SME banking that hosts the “Supawoman” product. The Supawoman product is about that woman, that underprivileged woman, that woman who is struggling to be able to grow that business. Just to put it into context – the roadside sellers, the hawkers, the market vendors, the retailers. Many of them are illiterate. They have very little capital, probably below $20, or $20 to $100 of capital. They don’t have books of account, they don’t have collateral – and they struggle to scale their business.

However, you need to note the population of Uganda comprises 51% as female. And 65% of the SME’s are run by women, so to be able to run a product that is impactful, you have to target the woman. But you have to target that underprivileged woman, that financially excluded woman, because the financially excluded women comprise over 65% of the women [market]. That’s how we’re able to scale up [our women customer base] by 23%. It is easy.

Question: Usually we see banks that go for clients higher up on the [entrepreneurial] pyramid. If you have clients who have no collateral, at best have $20-$100 in savings – how is this good business for your bank?

It is mission critical focus for Centenary Rural Development Bank. It is focusing on the underprivileged, particularly those in the rural areas, but most importantly, to support them to scale and to acquire or access affordable banking. That’s how we’re able to support that woman, because that is the mission critical focus of the bank.

Question: Was there anything Centenary Rural Development Bank had to do special or different to tailor these financial products for women entrepreneurs?

It started with the baseline survey supported by donors to understand these women. Then we crafted a banking product for them – which is charge-free but with interest – and also a group-based account. Then on the side, we also did a loan product for them that doesn’t require them to give security [deposit], and the product also offers exclusive pricing for them. So, we are able to offer them the two services – and that was a game changer for those women.

Question: Please tell us a little bit about how the AFAWA Guarantee for Growth program [implemented by AFAWA partner, the African Guarantee Fund] was beneficial to your bank.

The AFAWA program came in for those [women entrepreneurs] that we had scaled. I mean, we also have some appetite towards credit risk. It has a cap – we can’t side step beyond a given limit. But for those women entrepreneurs who have scaled outside our risk appetite for unsecured facility, we were able to leverage on the African Guarantee Fund guarantee to be able to lend to them. One of our customers was here yesterday to exhibit. That is Jude Color Solutions – [a micro-sized business] which started in their garage – again supported by us. They have a tailoring plant for corporate uniforms and marketing materials in Kampala today. They have been around for about 10 years and we’ve grown them to now an SME, so that is a testament of the capacity and the possibilities around that woman who is under privileged. But if given an opportunity for financial inclusion and financial services accessibility, these women can do miracles. The talent to be able to run their businesses and we have supported them as such.

Read more about the AFAWA Bank of the Year honor awarded to Centenary Rural Development Bank here (https://apo-opa.co/3RLMIb9).

NIAMEY, Niger, June 27, 2024/ — Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the Winners of Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2023 and “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards 2023 from Niger. Winners from the rest of the Africa were also announced, in partnership with African First Ladies, the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother. The awards ceremony was held via Videoconference to felicitate all the media award winners.

The winners were announced and acknowledged by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” campaign. The theme of “More Than a Mother” Awards was to raise awareness on any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels and the theme of “Diabetes and Hypertension” Awards was to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle and raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension in the African countries.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “I am very excited to announce the winner from Niger and the rest of Africa. We have 83 winners from 22 African countries in partnership with my dear sisters First Ladies of Africa and Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More than a Mother”. Congratulations to all our winners.

We started our Media Awards in 2017, and year after year we are witnessing a substantial increase in the number of outstanding and regular entries from many African countries, which is very encouraging for us.

All our winners are the Champions of critical and sensitive social and health issues in their communities.

It’s truly inspiring to witness how we’re actively involving and engaging everyone, enabling them to be the voice of the voiceless and create a culture shift.

I’m delighted to extend a warm welcome as you join the Merck Foundation Alumni. let’s keep raising awareness on social and health together.”

Merck Foundation is additionally rewarding the winners by providing them with one year access of an online educational training program called ‘MasterClass’. The MasterClass is an immersive online experience and self-paced learning course that can be accessed anywhere with the internet.

“I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition Awards 2024 “More Than a Mother” and “Diabetes and Hypertension”. These awards are in partnership with my dear sisters, the African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, concluded Senator Kelej.

Nigerien Winner of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023:

• Koami Agbetiafa, Societe, Niger, First Position, Print Category

Winners of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of The Gambia, H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW; and The First Lady of Ghana and H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Raissa Sambou, The Spectator, Ghana (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee, Myjoyonline, Ghana (First Position)
• Mariam Hamzat, Freelancer, Nigeria (Second Position)
• Mariama, Dem Star.gm, The Gambia (Second Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

• Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh, New Narratives, Liberia (First Position)
• Mavis Offei Acheampong, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Ghana (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Emmanuel Samani, TV3, Ghana (First Position)
• Stanley Nii Blewu, TV3, Ghana (Second Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

• Melody Mupeta, Zambia Daily, Zambia (First Position)
• Moses Mugugunyeki, The Standard, Zimbabwe, (Second Position)
• Gresham Ngwira, Freelancer, Malawi (Second Position)
• Sonja Smith, The Namibian, Print Category, Namibia (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Michael Magoronga, Zimpapers, Zimbabwe (First Position)
• Munyaradzi Blessing Doma, ZimNow, Zimbabwe (Second Position)
• Caroline Mapando, Africabrief, Malawi (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Charlotte Nambadja, Desert Radio, Radio Category, Namibia (First Position)
• Britta Mpata Blantyre, Synod Radio, Malawi (First Position)
• Sera Tamina, Radio Icengelo, Zambia (Second Position)
• Monde Chaba, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Zambia (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Mirriam Kayemba, CAMNET TV,  Zambia (First Position)
• Alepher Kasongo, MBC News, Malawi (Second Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

• Marco Maduhu, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania (First Position)
• Elizabeth Angira, MT Kenya Times and People Daily, Kenya (First Position)
• Shaban Njia, Nipashe Newspaper, Tanzania (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Moraa Obiria, Nation Media Group, Kenya (First Position)
• Isabella Maua Chemosit, The Times, Kenya (Second Position)
• Aveline Kitomary, Tanzania Standard, Tanzania (Third Position)
• Sophia Rukwaro, Black Hustlers TV, Kenya (Third Position)
• Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times, Rwanda (Third Position)
• Beatrice Philemon Mukocho, The Guardian Newspaper, Tanzania (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Caren Waraba Sisya, Citizen Radio, Kenya (First Position)
• Olga Fadhil Lungala, Moshifm Radio, Tanzania (Second Position)
• Adam Hhando, CG FM, Tanzania (Second Position)
• Namale Hajara Shahista, CBS FM, Uganda (Third Position)
• Angela Kezengwa, Citizen Radio, Kenya (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Walter Mwesigye, NTV Uganda, Uganda (First Position)
• Elizabeth Atieno Ochieng, TV 47 KENYA, Kenya (Second Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Astère NDUWAMUNGU, www.LeRenouveau.bi, Burundi (Second Position)
• Traore Brehima, The TOGUNA, Mali (Third Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Mêmèdé Ambroisine Azododassi, Savoir News, Togo (First Position)
• Jessy NZENGU, LualabamaProvince.com, DRC (First Position)
• AYIBE Ablavi Ayélo, SAVOIR NEWS, Togo (Second Position)
• Haburanimana Gérard, Agaseke.Bi, Burundi (Third Position)
• JEANINE NYABENDA, Ijisho Web Site News TV, Burundi (Third Position)
• Tognisse Pugilbert Yannick, DecryptageBenin.com, Benin (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Cyriaque NDAYISHIMIYE, Radio TV BUNTU, Burundi (First Position)
• Edmond Niyonkur, Radio Ubuzima-FM, Burundi (Second Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Bahwa Ferdinand, Le Journal.Africa, Burundi (First Position)
• Amadou BELLO, Balafon Direct, Cameroon (Second Position)

Here are the winners from Portuguese Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Cabo Verde, H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO:

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Ângelo Amaro Semedo, DW África, Cabo Verde (First Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Maria José Teixeira Veiga Macedo, Rádio de Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNERS

• Edineia Barros, TV Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde (First Position)

Winners of Merck Foundation “Diabetes & Hypertension” Media Recognition Awards 2023

Here are the winners from West African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Jennifer Ambolley, Chronicle, Ghana (First Position)
• Godwin Awuni Anafo, Daily Graphic, Ghana (Second Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Odimegwu Onwumere, TheNigerianVoice.com, Nigeria (First Position)
• Muniratu Akweley Issah, Ghana News Agency, Ghana (Second Position)
• Cecilia Lagba Yada, Ghanaian Times, Ghana (Third Position)

MULTIMEDIA CATEGORY WINNER

• Grace Hammoah Agyemang, TV3, Ghana (First Position)

Here are the Winners from Southern African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Malawi, H.E. MONICA CHAKWERA; The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. MUTINTA HICHILEMA; The First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Ed-Grant Ndoza, Malawi News Agency, Malawi (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Maria Kandjungu, Unwrap, Online Category, Namibia (First Position)
• Alain Kabinda, Daily News Agency, Zambia (Second Position)
• Phillipa Mwazvita Chinhoi, Herald.co, Zimbabwe (Third Position)
• Rosalia Hipondoka, DBS Blogposts, Online Category, Namibia (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Henry Haukeya, MBC Radio, Malawi (First Position)
• Sylviah Chisi, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Second Position)
• Martha Mzumara, Trans World Radio Malawi (TWR), Malawi (Third Position)

Here are the winners from East African Countries:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNER

• Christina Stephen Mwakangale, Nipashe, Tanzania (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Lucy John Bosco, Mwananchi Online, Tanzania (First Position)
• Dorcas Wangira, BBC, Kenya (Second Position)
• Veronica Romwald Mrema, Freelancer, Tanzania (Third Position)
• Tulinagwe Alison Malopa, Gazetini, Tanzania (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Mildrine Nafula Sabwami, North Rift Radio FM, Kenya (First Position)
• Mwanaisha Mohamed Makumbuli, Highlands FM Radio, Tanzania (Second Position)

Here are the winners from French Speaking African Countries in partnership with The First Lady of Burundi, H.E. ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE:

PRINT CATEGORY WINNERS

• Moïse NKURUNZIZA, Le Renouveau du Burundi, Burundi (First Position)

ONLINE CATEGORY WINNERS

• Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Diplomacy & Development, DRC (First Position)
• Akossiwa Agossivi YIBOKOU-MENSAH, SAVOIR NEWS, TOGO (Second Position)
• Alphonse Julio GADA, GLOBAL NEWS BÉNIN, Benin (Third Position)
• Petga Tonga Valgadine, LaVoixDuKoat.com, Cameroon, (Third Position)

RADIO CATEGORY WINNERS

• Honorine NININAHAZWE, Burundi National Radio, Burundi (First Position)
• Maurice TUNINAHAZIMANA, Radio TV Buntu, Burundi (Second Position)
• Rémy RUKUNDO, TV BUNTU, Burundi (Third Position)

Here is the winner from Portuguese Speaking African Country in partnership with The First Lady of Mozambique, H.E. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI:

RADIO CATEGORY WINNER

• Abdul Ibraimo, Radio of Mozambique, Mozambique (First Position)

Details of Merck Foundation Media Awards 2024:

1. Merck Foundation Africa Media Recognition “More Than a Mother” Awards 2024

Theme for the awards: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/or Stopping GBV at all levels.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

1. Southern African Countries
2. West African Countries
3. East African Countries
4. French Speaking African Countries
5. Portuguese Speaking African Countries

Submission deadline: 30th September 2024.

2. Merck Foundation Media Recognition “Diabetes & Hypertension” Awards 2024

Theme for the awards: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes and Hypertension.

Who can apply: Journalists from Print, Radio, Online, and Multimedia platforms from the following groups:

1. Southern African Countries
2. West African Countries
3. East African Countries
4. French Speaking African Countries
5. Portuguese Speaking African Countries
6. Latin American Countries
7. Asian Countries

Submission deadline: 30th October 2024.

All entries are to be submitted to submit@merck-foundation.com.

Kindly note, sending multiple relevant entries for both the categories will increase the chances of winning the award