By Ndukaihe Ugwu
The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) on Wednesday unveiled its 2023 Annual Report, showcasing the catalytic impact of strategic investments in peacebuilding and economic empowerment to creating a brighter future for thousands of lives and communities across the Niger Delta.
In a statement by the organisation’s Media Officer, Ochuko Piserchia, in 2023, PIND’s initiatives led to the creation of over 14,600 new jobs and significantly boosted agricultural productivity, directly benefiting over 65,000 farmers and small businesses. The organization’s peacebuilding investment had over 1,200 peace actors trained and 108 conflicts mitigated, ensuring a more stable and secure Niger Delta region.
“2023 saw us exceeding expectations and achieving several milestones as we consolidated our previous work and successes while exploring new opportunities,” PIND’s Executive Director, Tunji Idowu said. “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 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 beneficianes 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 shares. “I never thought | could earn this much from farming. PIND’s support has given me hope and dignity.”
PIND’s Market Systems Development project significantly supported smallholder farmers and businesses through NGN 13.79 billion in public and private sector investments. These efforts led to the creation of over 14,600 jobs in the agro allied and renewable energy sectors.
In Rivers State, Obunezi Loveday Tochi, an unemployed graduate faced a grim choice: take up a menial job or continue languishing in unemployment. PIND’s vocational training through the Youth Employment Pathway gave him a third optionsolar photovoltaic installation. Today, Obunezi runs his own welding business, employing three others and contributing to his local economy.
“Venturing into solar installation, | secured my first contract in May, installing 15 solar systems by December 2023 with a colleague and apprentice,” says Obunezi.
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 healthcare 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 programs 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 organization is poised for a new era of greater impact. As PIND 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, 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) sidecar facility to support these efforts.
“The financial sustainability of a grant-funded program 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 nonprofits, as grants are a catalyst for development, not to sustain it. Philanthropic organizations must engage in ongoing business development efforts to sustain their programs 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.
