Kwara targets 1,200 youths with N3m interest-free loans

Kwara State Government has unveiled plans to support young entrepreneurs in the state with interest-free loans.
The programme, being coordinated by the Kwara State Social Investment Programme Office, is said to be open to people with viable and scalable business ideas who are not more than 35 years of age.
The first phase of the programme targets 300 youngsters with viable business proposals, while 1,200 young people will benefit from the initiative over the next four years.
According to acting General Manager, KWASSIP, Mohammed Brimah, in a statement, successful applicants will be trained and supported with interest-free loans ranging from N350,000 to N3,000,000 each, depending on the scale of their proposed businesses.
Brimah said that Kwapreneur was designed to harness the potential of enterprising youths and raise a new generation of leaders through sustainable empowerment.
This, he added, was meant to spur socio-economic growth and job creation in the state.
He said, “The youths-oriented programmes under KWASSIP are numerous. We have previously organised training for about 15,000 youths in basic digital skills, while we are looking to hit the 30, 000 mark in the next two years. Kwapreneur is also a sub-programme under K-power – a component for youths engagement and development,” the statement said.
“The programme will give successful applicants between N350,000 – N3,000,000 interest-free, while looking to equip them with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to become sustainably empowered in society. This is Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s definition of empowerment.”
Brimah said young people involved in high-potential business areas such as agro-processing, logistics, transportation, among others, should apply.