By Our Reporter
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda has handed over coolers to women to enable them start businesses in the retail category. This is part of a bigger Coca-Cola initiative called 5 by 20.
5 by 20 is the Coca-Cola Company’s global commitment to enable the economic empowerment of 5 Million Women entrepreneurs across the Company’s value chain by the year 2020.
According to Flavia Nabaasa, the Business Development & Commercialization Director CCBA in Uganda, the company is well on track to delivering on their global commitment.
“We had a target of empowering 35,000 women in Uganda by the year 2020,” Flavia Nabaasa told media during the cooler handover ceremony held at UMA show grounds on Thursday. “We have so far empowered 33,000 women and are certain to deliver on our global commitment by the end of the year.”
In Uganda, women usually face several challenges when doing business such as lack of basic business skills, lack of financial services / assets and lack of access to peer to peer networks and mentorship among others.
Through the 5 by 20 initiative, women are also offered access to business skills training and connections with peers and company sales executives who are always at hand to offer continuous monitoring of the business which helps in offering the much-needed foundation for building a successful business.
“We believe there is no better investment than women to spur economic growth and foster sustainable development. Women reinvest 90% of their income in their family and community, so by supporting women, we are building sustainable communities through this ripple effect.” Flavia Nabaasa added.
The event was also graced by madam Joyce Kizza, one of the successful Coca-cola distributors who lauded the women for embracing business and encouraged them to continue working hard. She also tipped them on how to run a successful business saying they should always treat their employees as well a customers with respect and always be honest in their dealings.
Meanwhile, the company has this year so far received 1851 coolers which are being issued to customers across the country with women in the retail category being the beneficiaries of this process. The women are also given startup stock to go along with the coolers.
