The Next Economy Program empowered young individuals in Nigeria, Mali, and Somalia, helping them unlock their potential, boost their confidence, and strengthen their skills to start successful careers and entrepreneurial ventures.
This initiative kickstarted their futures, providing support to families and communities, and contributing to the productivity and growth of companies and local economies. The results below illustrate the tangible and sustainable impact of The Next Economy Program.
Jobs Created
Young people found jobs with existing businesses or those established through the program
Startups Strengthened
Young entrepreneurs supported to start or grow their businesses
Youth Skilled
Participants completed CLS, Employability or Entrepreneurship Training
Women Empowered
of participants, through tailored support to overcome unique challenges
Business Hubs Enhanced
Hubs with increased sustainability
Money Crowdfunded
Raised as startup capital



Stories of Change
Ambitious and innovative young people were the drivers of the programme’s success. These stories demonstrate how young people overcame challenges and defined their own futures. They also show how collaborative efforts of key stakeholders from coaches, to employers, and program partners can create opportunities for young people.
Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier
Fashion Journey of Success: Kyimyaýah Atelier
Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey
Merging Agricultural Passion and Digital Marketing: Vincent’s Journey
Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires
Transforming Challenges into Success: Rita’s Journey with Valiant Confectioneires
Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story
Overcoming Challenges to Achieve a Logistics Career: Mubarak’s Story
Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen
Crowdfunding Helped Me Kick-Start My Business: Mohamed’s Journey with Billan Canteen
Transitioning to the world of employment: Yatandou's journey
Transitioning to the world of employment: Yatandou's journey
Bridging the Gap Between Graduation and Employment: Makandjan’s internship experience
Bridging the Gap Between Graduation and Employment: Makandjan’s internship experience
From Dream to Reality: A Story of Ambition and Hard Work that Led to Hamda's Successful Business Venture
From Dream to Reality: A Story of Ambition and Hard Work that Led to Hamda's Successful Business Venture
Pushing Through in the Midst of Challenges: The Story of Eunice Nwokocha
Pushing Through in the Midst of Challenges: The Story of Eunice Nwokocha
From Freelancer to Founder with SIMAD iLab: Muhaidin's Story
From Freelancer to Founder with SIMAD iLab: Muhaidin's Story
Blossoming Success: Zahra's flower company
Blossoming Success: Zahra's flower company
Wennovation Hub and The Next Step Economy Collaboration: Spotlight on Jiffix Automative Hub's Startup Journey
Wennovation Hub and The Next Step Economy Collaboration: Spotlight on Jiffix Automative Hub's Startup Journey
From Passion to Profit: The Story of Chohu Art Gallery Enterprise
From Passion to Profit: The Story of Chohu Art Gallery Enterprise
Linda's Story of Turning Passion to Power
Linda's Story of Turning Passion to Power
Skillful success: Bourama's Story with TNE
Skillful success: Bourama's Story with TNE
Empowering Somalia's Business Sector with Digital Solutions: Ayaan's Journey to Successful entrepreneur
Empowering Somalia's Business Sector with Digital Solutions: Ayaan's Journey to Successful entrepreneur
Tackling Financial Hurdles: The Triump of Domo Ouologuem
Tackling Financial Hurdles: The Triump of Domo Ouologuem
Fostering Business Skills: Lassine's Story
Fostering Business Skills: Lassine's Story
From Vision to Reality: Pam Lydia and her Journey of the creation of Abode-Ornament
From Vision to Reality: Pam Lydia and her Journey of the creation of Abode-Ornament
Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success
Innovating Against Unemployment: Osman's Story of Success
TNE's Internship Programme: Faciliating Win-Win Partnerships
TNE's Internship Programme: Faciliating Win-Win Partnerships
Rising to a Sweet Success: Nanwor's Journey with The Call Treats
Rising to a Sweet Success: Nanwor's Journey with The Call Treats
Paying it Forward: An Alumni Community's Impact
Paying it Forward: An Alumni Community's Impact
From Uncertainty to Success: Kachollom's Story with The Next Economy
From Uncertainty to Success: Kachollom's Story with The Next Economy
Shaping Futures: The Next Economy Program's Impact in Somalia and Somaliland, Illustrated through Shukri's Journey
Shaping Futures: The Next Economy Program's Impact in Somalia and Somaliland, Illustrated through Shukri's Journey
Navigating the Shopping Dilemma: Charity Mahara's Story with Stock-up
Navigating the Shopping Dilemma: Charity Mahara's Story with Stock-up
Till We Are All A Part, There Will Never Be A Whole
Till We Are All A Part, There Will Never Be A Whole
Unleashing potential: The impact of internships on TNE youth
Unleashing potential: The impact of internships on TNE youth
Breaking New Boundaries and Learning New Lessons
Breaking New Boundaries and Learning New Lessons
Women in Entrepreneurship: Maimouna's journey to establishing Mai Cleanliness
Women in Entrepreneurship: Maimouna's journey to establishing Mai Cleanliness
Building Best Practices
TNE demonstrated that young people’s success relies on support from various entities, including business hubs, governments, and financial institutions. The documents below encapsulate key lessons and insights from TNE’s team. Through these documents, we aim to share our experiences, challenges and successes, and provide resources to inspire and inform other organizations supporting young people to find jobs and start businesses.

The Gender Knowledge Fellowship
An opportunity for international development professionals
to advance their careers, interest & thought leadership
through practitioner-led research
English

Core Life Skills: Session 1
Session 1 aims to introduce Life Skills, build participant connections, explore the curriculum and set expcectations for professional growth.
English

Core Life Skills: Session 2
To further explore their own traits and skills as well as motivating factors in their lives.
English

Core Life Skills: Season 3
To gain helpful information, inspiration and insight from professionals who are guest speakers.
English

Core Life Skills: Season 4
To learn how to identify steps to achieving realistic goals
English

Core Life Skills: Session 5
This session fosters critical thinking for solution design, prioritizing problem understanding over quick solutions.
English

Core Life Skills: Session 6
The session focuses on communication skills primarily as a means to cultivating assertive behaviour.
English

Core Life Skills: Session 7
Participants choose enterprise or employment with tools for informed decisions, involving community member interviews.
English