Three years ago, Amaka Scovia's small fruit and juice business in South Sudan's capital, Juba, was stuttering. Her prospects looked bleak as she faced constant challenges. The small rented retail space she operated in could only fit ten people at a time, making growth difficult.
Today, Scovia is the proud owner of a thriving fruit and juice business on one of Juba's bustling streets. Her shop now accommodates three times the original seating capacity, and the 27-year-old warmly welcomes a steady stream of customers. Scovia has also expanded her team, employing four women in her shop and two male motorcycle couriers who deliver fresh juice and fruit across the city.
"When I started [my business], I did not have enough capital. The place was too small. Things changed after I received a loan, and I managed to extend the place and renovate the shop," she recalls.
Scovia's journey is a rare example of entrepreneurial resilience and growth in Africa, where obstacles often halt progress. She says that her determination wasn't enough; financial support was crucial. Her breakthrough came when she secured an interest-free loan through the Youth Enterprise Development and Capacity Building project, financed by the African Development Bank Group's Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-donor Trust Fund. The project aims to boost employability and job creation for South Sudanese youth aged 18-35 by strengthening private sector capacity, building entrepreneurial skills, and creating a more supportive business environment.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) implements the project, with Stanbic Bank and M-gurus, South Sudan's pioneer mobile money platform, handling loan disbursement and repayments.
"Our work in South Sudan ensures that the young entrepreneurs play a critical role in improving the food and nutrition security in the country," said Martha Phiri, the Bank's Director for Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development. "This complements the Bank's work of supporting young people to start and scale up their businesses in sectors, such as agribusiness, that have the potential to create jobs," she added.
Scovia's $6,000, coupled with business skills workshops offered by the UNDP, was transformative. "We were trained in budgeting, planning, management, and how to control business finances," she said. "I have not only expanded my business but can now support my family. The four women I work with can pay for their education and health needs."
Scovia is ambitious about the future. She plans to open more branches in Juba and even dreams of establishing a juice processing plant to serve markets across East Africa. Her journey serves as an inspiration to other young entrepreneurs. "Young people should be focused, set goals, and strive to achieve them," she says. "Empowerment comes from within, and entrepreneurship offers a pathway to self-sufficiency and prosperity."
Entrepreneurs across Africa face barriers to growing their businesses, including limited access to capital, rising inflation, and market access challenges. The continent's women entrepreneurs also face gender-specific challenges, such as pressure to balance the demands of a business and a household.
The African Development Bank's work in South Sudan and across Africa helps to boost the diversity, nutrition, affordability, accessibility, and safety of food for the benefit of people in Africa. Its support for youth entrepreneurs such as Scovia contributes to strengthening food and nutrition security in their communities.
