To mark International Women's Day 2024, we have interviewed a few women entrepreneurs associated with the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN). This interview aims to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of women in the workplace and what inspires them.
Please introduce yourself, share insights about your business, and delve into the inspiration behind steering such a venture.
My name is Alima Napido. My investment is in the poultry business. I decided to create this company after realising that many people didn't have access to chicken, and I wanted to guarantee or ensure that they had access to it. In addition, I noticed that there were people who had a whole chicken but couldn't finish it the same day so it would spoil, because they didn't have a way to preserve it. So, I decided to sell pieces of chicken so that they could have enough quantity for one day and could eat it all.
How did you become a member of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN)?
I became a member of the SBN in 2015 during a training course on nutritious food markets.
What are the challenges you face as a female-led SME in your country?
Being a mum, a wife and an entrepreneur is a huge responsibility. Nothing is easy. I must split myself in two to ensure that everything is ok both at home and in the business. That's what being a woman is all about. But if it were easy, I confess I'd be suspicious. It’s hard, but I will never give up. I faced challenges regarding packaging as it is expensive. That's the biggest difficulty I've faced, and I am still facing. The last time I bought packs I had to invest 58,600 meticais (899 USD at the 2015 exchange rate) for 30,000 packs, that was in 2015. These packs ran out very quickly and I had to return to Maputo again in 2018 to buy another. At that time, it was a little more difficult, because there was a military conflict in the centre of Mozambique and that made my business difficult. But I could buy 60,000 packs, of which I now only have 120. I need to replace them to continue my business.
A year later Mozambique was affected by Cyclone Idai and then the whole world was hit by COVID-19. It was difficult for us. Between COVID-19 and the cyclone, my business stopped.
Another difficulty I've faced, and I think I may yet face when it comes to buying packaging, is the access route. The roads were not good, and I made one journey, before the military conflicts, and it was extremely painful, and I had to travel by plane. But I know that not all women entrepreneurs have this possibility. It's a serious problem that plagues us. I decided to go for chicken because it's another animal protein and it's easily accessible, given that it's sold in pieces and offal. This protein helps to improve nutrition in children, pregnant women, and the latent.
How has SBN supported in finding solutions to some of these challenges? (training, technical assistance, business support services, etc.)
Through training, technical, and financial assistance, as well as participation in international seminars.
SBN's trainings are very impactful, and I've taken part in all of them. It's hard for me to single one out because they are all interconnected and, in my view, they complement each other and have helped me to have a much broader vision of my business.
The turning point for my company was when we learned about GAIN’s Marketplace for Nutritious Foods. With this project, we have been able to grow to a scale. I believe would take over a decade to reach.
I started attendance in the Marketplace’s community of practice convening back in 2014 and since then I attended different training sessions in business management, food production and processing, including quality management systems. I am very motivated to continue with this activity. The support I have received from the Marketplace has contributed to improving our business. As a result, we noticed a reduction in mortality in our poultry houses and on the other side we realise that the broilers grow healthier and reach consumers with better quality. We want to become a reference in the city and region.
SBN's trainings are very impactful, and I've taken part in all of them. It's hard for me to single one out because they are all interconnected and, in my view, they complement each other and have helped me to have a much broader vision of my business.
Considering the theme for this year’s International Women's Day, inspire inclusion, how is your country's network supporting inclusion?
At various SBN events, I've noticed a lot of women participation, which is very positive. At these events, it's possible to see an exchange of experience and interaction between women and other entrepreneurs. The networking created by the SBN makes it much easier for women. Women are very innovative. They create products and are excellent at publicising them.
What is your advice to women-led SMEs striving to gain recognition and inclusion?
To be more active. Participating in training programs. To exchange experiences. To never give up on looking for knowledge, to implement what they learn, and to strive ever harder to feel included and have the recognition they deserve and to always do their best.
