Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Food business for ages has been poverty and hunger alleviation platform. It has continuity and can be easily started. Popcorn business is a business that requires small capital, it's easily marketable and loved by both young and old globally .

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

There are many benefits for businesses that develop local plans to address poverty in their community and one of such business is pop corn business.This is because popcorn business has the potential to create jobs for the less privileged and starters in life thereby creating a chain of opportunities to stimulate economic growth, and provide solutions to the challenges that the SDGs seek to address such as zero hunger . It creates employment opportunities that provide a pathway to economic independence and easily allows growth . It also creates opportunities for individuals pursuing target recruitment efforts, especially in under-resourced areas . For instance, I used to sell popcorn for someone when I lost my dad and I had to go to tertiary institution , this helped me to save money to pursue my academic dreams and I came out in flying colours . I plan to use my popcorn business to do same for others and train them to become a brand of their own with little capital alleviating poverty.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

One of the goals of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is zero hunger . I was a member of the Sustainable Development Goals CDS during my National Youths Service (NYSC) . We did many personal projects that made me realize that creating chain of small capital everyday consumer business can help alleviate poverty to a large extent . The government can not do it all but I can help to a great extent . The slogan is 'Everyone everywhere '. So , if everyone everywhere can find something doing be it a small capital business or large scale or food brand, it will help recycle most of the raw materials we use , give people a sense of purpose, belonging and fulfilment and thereby helps to create a better , prospering, safe and healthy society with hunger drastically reduced . Food is always basic need for humans . Popcorn is one of the easily accessible healthy food because it contains natural nutrients good for both adults and kids , combined with just water, it's a yummy balanced diet .

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

It helps recycle process of raw materials used such as nylon, bin bags , bottles , and helps to create a chain of businesses as well as serve as easily accessible healthy food for everyone irrespective social or economic class .

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The targeted beneficiaries are majorly the less privileged and young adults who aims to have a source of income to cater for their needs and academic pursuits especially those without parents like the orphans and fatherless . I plan to create my own brand and equip others on how to do theirs too with my financial support .

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-01-02

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

5

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

3

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Three young adults who are starters in life who helps with the local marketing of the brand and distribution of the goods to customers and supermarkets. A digital marketer and graphic design who helps to make plans and digital marketing as well as brand the product. A logistics and financial manager who helps to manage the income and expenditure as well as the market and quantity survey.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

d) Primary commodities (food, drink, household and personal products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The popcorn business in Nigeria is a relatively easy one to start. With a small investment, anyone can start selling popcorn. This makes it easy for entrepreneurs to start their own popcorn business. The product is particularly popular among the younger generation, who consume it as a snack while watching movies or hanging out with friends. However, the increasing health consciousness among the population has led to a shift towards healthier snack options like popcorn , which has affected the demand for popcorn. The popcorn making and farming business is an agricultural and food enterprise that involves the cultivation of popcorn for commercial purposes. It is a lucrative business in Nigeria and Africa, as the demand for the snack continues to grow both locally and internationally. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Africa produced approximately 309,000 metric tons of popcorn in 2019, with Nigeria being one of the leading producers in the continent.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

It gives everyone everywhere opportunity to eat healthy snack with just water or fruit drinks thereby eating balanced diet with little cost.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

It is made of natural ingredients and processed ingredients that provides essential vitamins for the body without any negative side effect. The raw materials used in Zobo drink may help regulate blood pressure , counter oxidative stress , prevent the formation of kidney stones , lower cholesterol level , boost fertility , promote weight loss . It also has antidepressant effects , and helps to protect the liver . The health benefits of popcorn and Zobo natural drink are numerous .

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

It can help individuals and the less privileged to source for money and have a stable income to pursue their academic dreams.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

It can be managed by any gender . It is not a kind of business that requires special qualities from any gender . It doesn't gender discriminate.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

It helps recycle process which thereby helps to sanitize and tidy the environment .

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Popcorn snack production is a fast-growing business in Nigeria and Africa, and it is highly profitable due to the increasing demand for snacks in the region. The global snack market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2021 to 2028, with the popcorn segment being a significant contributor to this growth. According to a report by Euromonitor International, the snack market in Nigeria is expected to grow by 6.1% between 2020 and 2025, and the demand for popcorn is a significant contributor to this growth. There is dignity in labour . Popcorn and Zobo drink business is one of the legitimate labour that gives one dignity and can easily grow into larger scale and becomes an international brand due to its health and economic benefits. It can also be easily preserved with the use of natural preservatives .

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Zobo business and popcorn business can easily grow into larger scale just like every other snacks and soft drinks or wine company . It also creates a chain of enterpreneuer which can results in vast economic growth and innovations.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Yes , my business is not gender discriminate or bias. It provides avenue for both gender to equally compete in the labour and economic market .

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

With the economic and innovative opportunities, it provides those with little capital to start small and grow big . This will help to definitely provide employment opportunities for even the unskilled and semi skilled workers thereby reducing crime rate which results from idleness or joblessness. This as a result helps to sustain the economic cycle of the community .

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Popcorn snack production is a fast-growing business in Nigeria and Africa, and it is highly profitable due to the increasing demand for snacks in the region. The global snack market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2021 to 2028, with the popcorn segment being a significant contributor to this growth. According to a report by Euromonitor International, the snack market in Nigeria is expected to grow by 6.1% between 2020 and 2025, and the demand for popcorn is a significant contributor to this growth.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

It strengthens the means of implementation and revitalize the Global partnership for sustainable development because it creates a chain of economic growth and business innovations which is sustainable

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

5

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

4

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Many producers of Zobo (hibiscus drink) and popcorn only produce it on lower scale from the producer directly to the consumer . Meanwhile , I plan to brand mine and sell it in top five star offices , hotels , conferences both locally and internationally and make the drink one of the most competitive drink in the world food market because if it's numerous health benefits . It will be a major commodity in every home unlike other numerous soft drinks with additives and other hazardous content in the food market .

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Local popcorn and Zobo ( hibiscus) drink producers . Popular soft drinks and wine companies both locally and globally .

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes . I have been organising seminals and small business empowerments for the single mothers and less privileged in my society . I also involve in volunteer work for NGO's during workshop. I also sensitize the female teenagers on the need to get quality education in other to function and compete well in the global labour market. I do provide some of their basic academic needs too including payment of O'level certificate examination as leverage for them to further pursue their academic goals . Meanwhile, I do the same for students irrespective of their genders.