French Embassy, HUFFPED empower women, vulnerable households in Lagos
No fewer than 450 beneficiaries, mostly women and vulnerable households, have been empowered with business tools and financial support by the French Embassy in Nigeria and the Humanity Family Foundation
No fewer than 450 beneficiaries, mostly women and vulnerable households, have been empowered with business tools and financial support by the French Embassy in Nigeria and the Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED).
The support was delivered under the Household Economic Strengthening and Resilience (HIEH) project, an initiative designed to help marginalised families strengthen their livelihoods and build sustainable sources of income.
Speaking during the distribution of the items, HUFFPED's Executive Director of Humanity Family Programmes, Adenigba Henry Oluwarotimi, said: “We are here to support marginalised communities we have been working with under the French Embassy project called HIEH—Household Economic Strengthening and Resilience,” he said. “About 450 beneficiaries are receiving grants and equipment to help them expand their existing trades or vocational work.”
Oluwarotimi explained that the support package includes tools and materials tailored to each person's line of work so they can increase productivity and improve their income.
“This is not charity,” he said. “The goal is to strengthen what people already do so they can feed their families, grow their businesses, and move out of poverty.”
In addition to the equipment and grants, beneficiaries have also been enrolled in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA). These community-based savings groups help members save regularly, access small loans, and support one another in growing their businesses.
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Programme Officer Pierre-Louis Bonnel, who represented the French Embassy in Nigeria, said the initiative was funded through the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations, which supports development projects across the country.
“The French Embassy has been supporting HUFFPED here in Lagos through financial assistance and capacity building,” Bonnel said. “Between 2024 and 2026, we have supported more than 21 civil society organisations across Nigeria, mainly focusing on gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and girls.”
He noted that the event also coincides with the global celebration of International Women's Day, marked every year on March 8.
“It is very important for me to be here during this period,” he said. “Today we are celebrating women who have developed their businesses, strengthened their livelihoods, and made remarkable progress through this program.”
Bonnel added that many beneficiaries are already planning how to expand their businesses.
“Some want to open hair salons, others plan to expand their shops, buy freezers and refrigerators, or employ people in their communities,” he said. “They now understand their businesses better and can think bigger about the future.”
