LAGOS — Today, My World of Bags, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation announced the launch of Kafawa, a training initiative designed to bridge the skills gap in the leather and non-leather manufacturing industry.
My World of Bags, the parent company of FemiHandbags, one of Africa's leading luxury accessory brands, is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation's Young Africa Works to upskill hundreds of Nigerian youths and connect them to work opportunities in the creative sector.
Kafawa , which means 'establishment' in Hausa, will kick -off its pilot phase in Oyo state, and will launch a series of intensive courses in hard and soft skills. The goal is to empower and establish a highly skilled generation of youth to enhance the quality of workmanship in Nigeria - and Africa's leather and non -leather industries.
In a statement by the Program Director and Founder of My World of Bags/FemiHandbags, Mrs. Femi Olayebi , she said, "There is a breadth of potential in the leather and non -leather manufacturing industries in Nigeria, and yet, there is a lack of skilled hands to bring that potential to life. This partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is the perfect opportunity to achieve this, not only by equipping young Nigerians with the necessary skill sets to grow and expand the sector, but also to enhance their own economic outcomes. We are honoured to be driving this change, and we are committed to creating access for as many young people at the bottom-of-the-pyramid as possible ."
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony , Chioma Nwagboso, Program Lead, MSME Finance at the Mastercard Foundation said, "the Mastercard Foundation is excited at the potential for Kafawa to create a new generation of young people with a changed mindset and new- found belief that production, tailoring and manufacturing can provide dignified and fulfilling work opportunities."
Over the past five years, My World of Bags has been an active advocate for skills-building, through its annual training program for leather designers, in partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC); and for expanding access and creating a platform for visibility, through its annual Lagos Leather Fair.
This partnership with the Mastercard Foundation enables the company to further expand its reach, intensify and broaden the training curricula and offer placement opportunities within the leather and non-leather manufacturing industry.
The first cohort of trainees, selected based on their passion, availability, and readiness to strive for better, have officially been on-boarded into the Kafawa Training Program and are very eager to begin a journey that will involve intensive training over a three to four month period. Applications for the next cohort will be open in March 2022 after the pilot batch graduate.
About My World of Bags
My World of Bags (MWOB) is a bag design and corporate accessories manufacturing company, and the parent company of Femi Handbags — a bespoke line of leather handbags and accessories. Founded in 1992 by Femi Olayebi, the company designs and produces a dynamic array of products for businesses and individuals alike.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organisation with its Board of Directors and management.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org
About Young Africa Works
Young Africa Works is the Mastercard Foundation's strategy to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, across Africa to access dignified work. Africa will be home to the world's largest workforce, with 375 million young people entering the job market by 2030. With the right skills, these young people will contribute to Africa's global competitiveness and improve their lives and those of their communities.
Media Enquiries
Oluyemi Olukanni
Communications Lead, My World of Bags/FemiHandbags
0701 129 9922
0708 928 7992
programs@myworldofbags.com http://www.myworldofbags.com/
Mastercard Foundation
Nonye Mpho Omotola
Country Lead, Program Communications, Nigeria
nomotola@mastercardfdn.org
