The Centre, launched its first Experience Centre at the Tejuosho UltraModern Market, Yaba in Lagos, Nigeria on on June 25, 2021. The Experience Centre is a one-stop shop for clients to connect with all aspects of the Grooming ecosystem, using multi-faceted digital channels, with a tangible feeling of the Centre’s brand identity. The Experience Centre is also part of our strategy to grow the Very Small Enterprise (VSE) segment of our client base, using an innovative approach to expose them to best-in-class microfinance services. More Experience Centres are scheduled to be opened in the coming months.
Grooming & UNHCR Livelihood Promotion
Continuing the Centre’s support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria, we recently partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to provide business start-up kits to trained beneficiaries of the UNHCR Protection Safety-Nets and Livelihoods project in Borno State, North East Nigeria. The Centre’s donation is aimed at providing stability for the beneficiaries through the creation of livelihoods as well as training on income generation and micro-entrepreneurship. Over 50 beneficiaries from Maiduguri Municipal Centre (MMC) were trained in areas of tailoring, carpentry and shoe making, the 8 week programme concluded with additional training on Financial Literacy and Business Development.
Digital Transformation
The Centre has concluded a digital transformation strategy advisory with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as part of its overall digital transformation journey. The advisory began in October 2020, with a series of virtual workshops between the Centre’s team and consultants from the IFC, covering core areas such as customer experience, products and channels, operations and culture, partnerships, ecosystems and technology. The result is a 3 year road map that will position the Centre as a leading microfinance institution for the present and the future, and ensure the fulfillment of our digital ambitions.
Funding
The Centre secured a debt facility from FS Impact Finance, a group company of the renowned Frankfurt School of Finance & Management in June 2021. The transaction was concluded after a novel virtual due diligence exercise, and marked the return of the Centre to international microfinance investment market since 2018, due to the scarcity of appropriate hedging options and the impact of COVID-19. The funding will contribute to the growth of the lending portfolio, as the Centre is set to rebound from the effects of the pandemic on its operations. Other funding arrangements with international investment vehicles are being concluded.
Performance Ratings
The Centre underwent its 6th international Rating Exercise and maintained excellent rating results, receiving an α- in the institutional rating category and a four (out of five) stars in the social performance rating category. The rating was carried out by MicroRate, the foremost international microfinance rating agency. The results show excellent product offering, robust solvency, efficient operations, strong corporate governance and transparency, as well as solid social and financial balance, despite the impact of the pandemic on the economy. The rating exercise also involved the second re-validation of the Centre’s Client Protection Principles (CPP) certification, and the results of the re-validation are expected in November 2021.
Grooming Centre and Sesor Empowerment Foundation renew partnership.
Thursday, May 27, 2021 – Grooming People for Better Livelihood Centre renewed its partnership support to Sesor Empowerment Foundation (Sesor) by donating ₦14.13 million towards the provision of relief, funding and housing to the Internally Displaced Persons in Lagos and Benue States, as well as the ongoing work at the Sesor’s Safe Day Space; Centres designed to train the women in financial literacy and business management.
As part of the MOU signing ceremony which took place at the Grooming Centre, Head Office, Ejigbo, Lagos, a cheque donation of N14,250,000.00 was presented to Sesor Empowerment Foundation by Grooming Centre to support the foundation in its work with IDPs. The partnership, now in its 7th year, also moves to sustain the notable efforts made by Sesor Empowerment Foundation in providing nutritional & psychological support, financial independence, educational support, housing support, as well as the option of becoming full members of Grooming Centre with access to financial literacy training and financial support as they resume their normal lives.
of doing this is giving them .” Dr. Nwabunka said.The renewed partnership is set to sustain the notable effort made by the foundation in ensuring the stable and steady reintegration of IDP’s into the society. Through the partnership, the women will be trained in financial literacy and business management