Jada Coffee Wins $20,000 Grant from NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator Program
By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: Jada Coffee, a promising Ugandan coffee business, has been awarded a $20,000 grant (approximately UGX 75 million) through the NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator program. This prestigious grant recognizes Jada Coffee’s potential to contribute significantly to community upliftment through its innovative coffee business model.
The NSSF Hi-Innovator program is a flagship initiative by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Uganda, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The program aims to empower women entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, providing them with the necessary support to grow and thrive. Beyond financial assistance, the program offers comprehensive mentorship, business development services, and opportunities to connect with investors.
As part of the program, Jada Coffee will participate in a rigorous six-month accelerator program designed to further develop its business and prepare it for future funding opportunities. This intensive program will equip Jada Coffee with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to scale its operations and achieve sustainability.
The grant awarded to Jada Coffee is part of a broader effort by the NSSF Hi-Innovator program to support women-led businesses in Uganda. To date, the program has trained 29,000 entrepreneurs, provided seed funding to 330 businesses, and reached over 150,000 youth and women. The Mastercard Foundation’s partnership with NSSF Uganda underscores its commitment to promoting economic empowerment and job creation, particularly among young women.
The “Empowering Young-Women Entrepreneurs in the Coffee Sector” (EYE-C) program, also supported by the Mastercard Foundation, aims to create 300,000 jobs for young women through the coffee industry. This initiative complements the NSSF Hi-Innovator program, which has already provided seed capital to 437 businesses, including 45 women-led enterprises in its latest cohort, each receiving sh75 million.
The NSSF Hi-Innovator program is a $10 million initiative co-funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by Outbox. Its objective is to cultivate an enabling ecosystem for at least 500 Indigenous Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) to evolve into viable and scalable enterprises. By providing financial support, mentorship, and business development services, the program seeks to address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Uganda and unlock their potential for growth and innovation.
With Jada Coffee embarking on this new chapter, it is meant to make a meaningful contribution to the coffee industry and the broader economy, inspiring other entrepreneurs and paving the way for a brighter future.
The NSSF Hi-Innovator program is driving positive change in Uganda and it’s by this that Jada Coffee, it is likely to have a lasting impact on the country’s economic landscape, fostering growth, job creation, and prosperity for all.
About Jada Coffee:
Jada Coffee is a Ugandan coffee brand founded by Jackie Arinda, also known as “Madam CEO”. The idea for Jada Coffee was conceived in Washington DC, USA, during a Promoting African Coffee event in 2019. Arinda started the business with Shs7 million, which she used for registration, branding, digital marketing, and sourcing coffee beans from farmers in Kapchorwa, Masaka, and Mbale.
Key Features of Jada Coffee:
Products: Jada Coffee offers high-quality Arabica coffee beans, expertly roasted to bring out unique scents and flavors.
Target Market: Initially focusing on the Ugandan market, Jada Coffee plans to expand to the US market within a year.
Business Model: Jada Coffee sources coffee beans directly from farmers, providing them with a stable income source.
Growth: Within eight months, Jada Coffee has employed 15 people and is expanding its operations.
Leadership and Partnerships:
CEO: Jackie Arinda, a young entrepreneur who quit her job to focus on Jada Coffee.
Board Chairman: Deo Arinaitwe Rugyendo, a renowned expert in branding and marketing, who will guide the company’s growth strategy.
Partnerships: Jada Coffee has received support from organizations like the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Uganda, which awarded the company a $20,000 grant through the NSSF Hi-Innovator Women Accelerator program.
Future Plans:
Expansion: Jada Coffee plans to open cafes in Kampala, Mbarara, and Jinja.
Export: The company aims to export its coffee to the US market within a year.
Farmer Registration: Jada Coffee plans to register over 100 farmers within a year to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality coffee beans
