Dan Busobozi Entrepreneur

We have two major components of Empower Nations where one is focusing on supporting SMEs and local community groups to develop and run sustainable and profitable enterprises.Our activities involves mobilizing, training, mentoring and linkages among the value chain actors. The target groups are basically women, youth and producer groups. The current challenges under this intervention are as follows: -How to effectively mobilise, connect and build confidence among the different stake holders and actors. -Practical strategies on how to effectively and sustainably role out activities among the target groups and also coordinating well with other stakeholders like local leaders and structures in areas of operation. - Effective delivery of training materials, especially on acquiring the required technology and tools ( given the current challenges posed by COVID-19). -Best strategy of creating profitable, self sustaining and sustainable projects among the local communities and SMEs.

The second intervention of Empower is a commercial farm. We are currently operating a horticulture farm under green house technology and its at a production stage and the challenges still faced are as follows: - Low productivity due to insufficient technical knowhow on production processes - Poor marketing and sales processes. Our target is have a well streamlined sales and marketing systems focusing not only on local market but also the global one. -We are currently selling primary produced products ( sweet peppers in row form as of now) but we are looking at how we can add value to our products and increase product ranges produced. -Challenges of irrigation technology in the green house still exist . -Lack of effective farm records. Management tools and monitoring tools and systems.

For Enterprise development and support project, We have so far developed most of the documentation related to the company ranging from registration, brochure development, draft strategic plan, some of the training manuals, have identified the target communities and SMEs to work with, has held some few inception meetings and trainings. The second intervention is of horticulture and fruit farming: To date we have constructed 4 green houses with total area of about 1,000 square metres and planted it with sweet peppers that are at harvesting stage . So far we have a water system for irrigation though with some challenges, have hired farm staff and started selling the produce to the local market. we had started net working with hotels that offer better prices but COVID-19 emergency halted this effort as hotels were shut down. The farm also sits on our 4.5 acres of land which is a potential resource of future expansion of the project. Our plan is to expand and also set up a training Centre in modern farming technologies and value chain development. This will help in changing the mindset of our people from looking at farming in a traditional manner but rather as a business.

For the community enterprise and support programs,our target is to ensure 50,000 individuals are reached, trained, equipped and transformed into business people operating profitable and sustained enterprises,with strong producer groups actively participating in value chains. Also among them should be thriving savings and credit schemes using appropriate information technology in their operations. For the Horticulture and fruit farming: we envision Empower Nations as having about 20,000 squares metres of Green house space producing a range of high-quality horticultural products for both local and international market. We also want to set up value chain processes and system for our products. Lastly we plan to open up 500 acres of Hass Avocado whose value added products will be consumed internationally and locally. This project will have a nucleus farm of about 100 acres and then an out grower scheme of 400 acres made of small holder farmers among the people at the bottom of the pyramid. this will enable them learn new production technologies, earn incomes and their lively hoods will improve. Besides we also have a component of social enterprise and one other need is to be helped in networking, project designs and funding partnership network for these social enterprises among local communities.

I worked with international charity organization for 20 years and during that time, I enjoyed the support of global experts from diverse backgrounds. I noted the importance of seeking support and sharing technical knowledge as an important aspect in the ever dynamic development world. Now that am promoting Economic empowerment programs as a private service provide under Empower Nations Initiative, I feel that support will be very key in enabling me role out, network, develop better systems hence operate well in these endeavors.

Empower Nations Initiative, is an impact enterprise development platform that incubates, inspires, motivates and trains aspiring & existing entrepreneurs, organisations and institutions to transform and improve their ideas and actions into profitable businesses and sustainable organizations.

Our Mission is to unlock human potential towards economic and social stability through enterprise development, capacity building &institutional development, Leadership development and Inclusive social and community development.

Our Vision is an Economically and socially empowered nations with sustainable income. Our Core Values: -We value networks We pursue authentic networks to enable our clients build connections that are productive, mutually beneficial where greater creativity and effectiveness becomes possible. -Action oriented and change driven We are action oriented and focus on positive changes in whatever we do. We deliver excellent and well researched services to our customers using simple and clear approaches. -We are Courageous We look further ahead than most dare to, and do not back away from challenges, speaking our truth or tough conversations. Stretching ourselves and our clients, we are able to journey together to bold new possibilities, intense learning and powerful change. -We are a learning and innovative organisation We learn and grow from what has and hasn’t worked in the past, co-creating the future with our clients. Our hunger for what is new & effective, coupled with our commitment to mastery, ensures that our practice generates results within a constantly changing reality. -We have Integrity You can count on us to do what we say we will do. We strive for consistency and harmony between purpose, words, and actions. -Excellence We pursue excellence in all that we do.