Retailers laud Nile Breweries as company takes entrepreneurship training to Bunyoro sub-region

June 25, 2024 in Business, Companies, Trade & Industry by Editor

Alcoholic beverages bottler Nile Breweries NBL, has completed training for some 400 retailers of its products in Bunyoro and Mbarara sub-regions, furnishing them with entrepreneurship, digital and financial skills. Code-named GRIT – Growing Retailers Innovatively Together – is part of the brewer’s efforts to help them grow their businesses through upskilling.

“This is the first entrepreneurship training I have attended since opening my business. I finally understand how to track my accounts, manage my stock effectively, and maximize my profits,” said Evelyn Alioru, a bar owner in Masindi. “I now have the skills to grow my business sustainably and make informed decisions for the future.”

The training was held in partnership with MTN MoMo, a mobile electronic payments platform owned by African telecommunications giant MTN.

Speaking to the retailers, NBL Managing Director Adu Rando, revealed plans to skill more than 14,000 retailers across the country, focusing on the three pillars of growth, education and inclusion.

“Entrepreneurship is about supporting and uplifting the small- and medium-sized businesses across our value chain. From local farmers to retailers, we want to drive meaningful change for our retailers and the surrounding communities that they serve,” said Adu

“Very often times, we see a gap in knowledge due to lack of formal training. We are filling this gap by running this comprehensive program through several training sessions. We are training and developing owners of bars shops and retailers so that they can manage their business better, more efficiently and more professionally, so that they can grow.” Adu added.

The retailers were cautioned against dealing in illicit brews. According to research, 65pc of all alcohol consumed in Uganda is illicit and the vast majority of this is harmful as well. “We have reached out to the government of Uganda and are planning to make tangible progress in reducing the availability of cheap illicit and harmful alcohol to consumers in Uganda,” Adu noted.

John Ronald Isabirye the Corporate Sales Manager at MTN MoMo noted that part of the training aimed at helping distributors and retailers migrate to cashless transactions

“Going Cashless is instrumental in access to financial services by leveraging digital and mobile technologies that reach individuals and businesses. This initiative reduces risk, improves record keeping, and gives visibility of business transactions,” Isabirye explained. 

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Small and Medium Enterprises remain Uganda’s engine of growth. The sector accounts for 90pc of the business sector in Uganda and employs over 2.5 million people contributing approximately 20pc of Gross Domestic Product.

Adu added that the retailers receive tailored business training in financial and stock management as well as coaching and mentoring to support the continuous development of entrepreneurs.

“Increased investment in education will lead to increased economic growth, and upskilling retailers will help them grow their business and invest in their families and communities. Ultimately, we want to drive entrepreneurial development, business growth and sustainability for our retail partners,” Adu concluded.