A report from UNESCO estimates that one in ten girls in Sub-Saharan
Africa misses school during her menstrual cycle due her inability to
access affordable sanitary products, and conversations about periods are
almost an abominable topic of discussion in Nigeria. To complicate that
further, because our country is in a recession, the prices of
everything, including sanitary products, has doubled.
One of such entrepreneurs is 29-year-old Affiong Williams, who after working for a small business incubator in South Africa, returned to Nigeria to set up Reel Fruit – a snack and beverage company that produces dried fruit snacks for the health-conscious Nigerian.
Launched in 2012, using personal funds as well as loans from family and friends, Williams started out running the business right from her home – and now, with a factory in Lagos, Reel Fruit employs over 15 people.
Speaking with Africa News about what inspired her to start her company, Williams said:
The company also exports to other West African countries and Williams already plans to export to Europe and the United States sometime in future.
Wait! Did we forget to mention that Williams made the Forbes Africa 2016 list of '30 under 30 African Entrepreneurs'? Yeah, she was described as one of the "billionaires of tomorrow who will create jobs and wealth for the continent."
One of such entrepreneurs is 29-year-old Affiong Williams, who after working for a small business incubator in South Africa, returned to Nigeria to set up Reel Fruit – a snack and beverage company that produces dried fruit snacks for the health-conscious Nigerian.
Launched in 2012, using personal funds as well as loans from family and friends, Williams started out running the business right from her home – and now, with a factory in Lagos, Reel Fruit employs over 15 people.
Speaking with Africa News about what inspired her to start her company, Williams said:
"I was attracted to the sector for a number of reasons. Firstly, I believe there is untapped opportunity in processing and value addition of raw materials and I also believe it’s a very budding sector.Although the fruits are dried in Ogun state, Reel Fruit packages the fruits in their factory in Lagos and distributes their products to over 85 stores across the country.
There is a lot of opportunity as well as the job creation which I think is quite important to me as an entrepreneur."
The company also exports to other West African countries and Williams already plans to export to Europe and the United States sometime in future.
Wait! Did we forget to mention that Williams made the Forbes Africa 2016 list of '30 under 30 African Entrepreneurs'? Yeah, she was described as one of the "billionaires of tomorrow who will create jobs and wealth for the continent."
Comments
Post a Comment