We are thrilled to highlight the inspiring progress of Grace Nabieu, the founder of Grace and Co. Food Processing Enterprise, who is among the 18 women-owned MSMEs selected for the UNDP Growth Accelerator Programme. Established in 2015, Grace and Co. has made significant strides in the agribusiness sector, specializing in the processing of powder okra, coconut gari, ginger tea, ginger seasoning, and garlic seasoning. Grace’s journey with the Growth Accelerator Programme has been transformative. The support she has received from UNDP has been divided into four tranches, of which Grace has already successfully utilized two. The first tranche enabled her to acquire essential equipment and tools needed for her processing operations. The second tranche provided critical machinery, including a cassava grating machine, cassava mash press, gari sifter, grinding machine, ginger peeling machine, drying machine, and gari frying machine. This equipment has greatly enhanced her production capabilities.
In addition to the financial support, Grace has benefited from a series of specialized trainings and bootcamps facilitated by Aurora Foundation. These sessions have been instrumental in her growth, focusing on various aspects of business development. She received training in goal setting and growth plan development, advisory support and follow-up on tranche disbursement, financial literacy, business modelling, and pitching. Additionally, a marketing bootcamp helped refine her promotional strategies.
The impact of these resources on Grace’s business has been profound. Before joining the Growth Accelerator Programme, Grace and Co. operated mainly within the Kailahun District. With the new skills and equipment, Grace has expanded her reach to new markets, including Bo, Freetown, Kenema, and others. The programme has also allowed her to introduce two new product lines—garlic seasoning and gari—further diversifying her offerings.
The expansion has not only increased her market presence but also enabled her to hire additional staff, contributing to local employment and economic growth. Grace Nabieu’s success story exemplifies the powerful impact of targeted support and training in empowering women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and achieve remarkable outcomes. We celebrate her achievements and look forward to seeing Grace and Co. Food Processing Enterprise continue to thrive and inspire.
