Financial Energy Review
Since its inception in 2003, the LiveWIRE programme, an initiative by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), has empowered over 9,000 youths across the Niger Delta region. Targeted at individuals aged 18 to 35, the programme aims to boost employment opportunities by providing entrepreneurial training, start-up grants, and business mentorship.
In the latest chapter of this impactful journey, more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs graduated from the programme, held last week in Port Harcourt. These youths, hailing from host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states, were trained to develop business plans and presented their ventures to a panel of experts. The top performers, 654 trainees in total, were recognized for their outstanding contributions during the ceremony.
Igo Weli, Director and Head of Corporate Relations at SPDC, expressed immense pride in the success of the LiveWIRE programme during his speech at the graduation event. “We’re delighted at the success of the LiveWIRE programme,” Weli remarked. “This training is set aside for young people from our host communities, which means they can also enjoy the benefits of the programme and join the teeming number of entrepreneurs. Several of these young people now have the opportunity to participate in SPDC’s business as vendors. LiveWIRE is one of many ways through which Shell and her partners are powering progress in Nigeria.”
The graduation ceremony, which also featured a technical conference with the theme “Unlocking Growth: Leveraging Policies to Build an Inclusive Tech Ecosystem in the Niger Delta,” gathered a panel of distinguished experts who provided valuable insights to the graduates. Iyke Kemabonta, the keynote speaker, alongside panelists Soala Jumbo, Davies Awongo, Kalada Briggs, Vivien Ene, and Ezieke Amaefula, challenged the beneficiaries to scale their businesses while overcoming the environmental challenges unique to the Niger Delta region.
Kemabonta emphasized the need for innovation and collaboration. “The future of this region lies in the hands of the young entrepreneurs here today,” he said. “Your ability to adapt to changing policies and leverage the right technologies will determine how you overcome obstacles and unlock the growth that the region desperately needs.”
Adding to the motivational speeches, three successful graduates of previous LiveWIRE cohorts — Precious Adeho, Queen Esther Bolou-Ebi, and Kalada Briggs — inducted the new graduates into the LiveWIRE Alumni Group. These role models, now business owners themselves, encouraged the fresh graduates to use their training as a springboard to success and international recognition.
“The skills you’ve learned here today are not just for local growth; they can propel you to international platforms. Dream big, think globally, and remember that you have all the tools you need to succeed,” said Briggs, who now runs a thriving business thanks to the LiveWIRE programme.
In an exciting development for past beneficiaries, five former LiveWIRE graduates received the prestigious LiveWIRE International “Go and Trade Enterprise Linkage Award.” This initiative enabled the recipients to visit trade hubs such as London, Dubai, Malaysia, and Ghana, fostering international connections and opportunities for their businesses. This recognition not only highlights the success of the programme but also demonstrates the global reach and impact of LiveWIRE.
The programme’s global footprint is impressive, with LiveWIRE operational in 18 countries and having trained over 3,400 individuals globally as of 2023. The initiative has also created more than 1,200 jobs worldwide. In Nigeria, it has particularly focused on enhancing the entrepreneurial capabilities of youth in oil-producing regions, where high unemployment rates have historically posed significant challenges.
In line with the programme’s goals, LiveWIRE offers beneficiaries the chance to compete for the prestigious Global Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators Award, which comes with significant rewards and global exposure. This award is aimed at recognizing the most innovative and impactful entrepreneurs among LiveWIRE’s global network.
According to Weli, the SPDC’s support for LiveWIRE is part of the company’s broader strategy to contribute to Nigeria’s economic development. “We are committed to continuing this partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), TotalEnergies, and Nigerian Agip Oil Company. Together, we aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young Nigerians by providing the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive as entrepreneurs.”
The LiveWIRE programme not only focuses on entrepreneurship but also instills a sense of social responsibility among its beneficiaries, urging them to give back to their communities. Many past graduates have gone on to employ others, further contributing to the reduction of unemployment in the region.
As the ceremony came to a close, the excitement and optimism among the graduates were palpable. “This is just the beginning for us,” said one of the top graduates, Amaka Thompson, who is already working on launching her tech business. “Thanks to Shell and LiveWIRE, I now have the tools and the confidence to make a difference in my community.”
With its continued success, the LiveWIRE programme is undeniably a critical factor in fostering sustainable development, job creation, and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta, while helping to unlock the region’s full potential.
