The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has declared that over 65,000 smallholder farmers as well as other small businesses in the Niger Delta region have benefitted from the foundation’s N13.79 billion public and private sector investments.
This was contained in PIND’s 2023 Annual Report unveiled recently, which showcased the catalytic impact of strategic investments in peace building and economic empowerment to creating a brighter future for thousands of lives and communities across the Niger Delta.
According to the report, in 2023, PIND’s initiatives led to the creation of over 14,600 new jobs and significantly boosted agricultural productivity.
The report noted that, “the impact of PIND’s work is perhaps best illustrated by the lives it has transformed. Among the many success stories in 2023, the journey of a smallholder cassava farmers group from Delta State, stands out.
“Among the thousands of beneficiaries is a woman who struggled to provide for her family due to low yields and limited market access. Her life changed when she joined a PIND-supported cooperative. With training in modern farming techniques and access to improved seed varieties, her cassava yield doubled within a year. “Today, this woman, like many others, does not only feed her family but also sends her children to school and saves for the future. ‘My life has changed completely,’ she says. ‘I never thought I could earn this much from farming. PIND’s support has given me hope and dignity.” The report equally stated that PIND’s Market Systems Development project significantly supported smallholder farmers and businesses through N13.79 billion in public and private sector investments. These efforts led to the creation of thousands of jobs in the agro-allied and renewable energy sectors. The organisation’s peace building investment had over 1,200 peace actors trained and108 conflicts mitigated, ensuring a more stable and secure Niger Delta region.
PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu, said, “2023 saw us exceeding expectations and achieving several milestones as we consolidated our previous work and successes while exploring new opportunities. Together with our partners, we continued to find creative, people-centered ways to carry out our mission to facilitate peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta.”
The report noted that PIND’s dedication to improving lives also extends to healthcare. In partnership with the private sector, PIND provided renewable energy solutions to 12 off-grid health care facilities, ensuring continuous power supply for life-saving medical equipment.
The impact was immediate and life-changing, especially for medical personnel in Bayelsa State, who no longer worry about power outages during surgeries. For doctors and patients, this investment has meant the difference between life and death during critical surgeries.
The communities served by PIND’s programmes are among the most vulnerable in Nigeria, often
overlooked by larger development efforts. By investing in these communities, PIND is addressing the root causes of poverty and conflict, fostering environments where peace and prosperity can take root.
As PIND approaches the end of its third strategic phase, the organisation is poised for a new era of greater impact. As it continues to explore new avenues for impact, including the adoption of impact investment, its vision for the future is clear: to build on its successes and drive further progress in the Niger Delta. A major initiative in this direction is the PIND Impact Investing SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle), which focuses on providing concessional local currency debt to beneficiary companies in the clean energy, agriculture and youth empowerment sectors. PIND is raising a $75 million blended finance facility and a $5 million technical assistance (TA) facility to support these efforts.
“The financial sustainability of a grant-funded programme depends on creating and maintaining diversified revenue sources. It is essential to understand that grants are not to be the sole source of funding for non profits, as grants are a catalyst for development, not to sustain it.
“Philanthropic organisations must engage in ongoing business development efforts to sustain their programmes and operations,” said Aline Varre, Director of Strategy and Business Development at PIND.
The 2023 Annual Report showcases how PIND’s initiatives are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and lasting peace in the Niger Delta region.