The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., a key player in Africa’s consumer goods industry and a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, has announced the launch of the 2025 edition of its flagship youth development initiative, Youth Empowered (YE). The new tour kicks off in Kaduna on September 29 and 30, marking the beginning of a nationwide drive to equip young people with practical skills for business, employment, and innovation.
Now in its eighth year, Youth Empowered has grown into one of the continent’s most impactful youth-focused initiatives, active in Nigeria and across 28 countries where Coca-Cola HBC operates. Launched in 2017, the programme has already surpassed its initial target of reaching one million young people by 2025. It continues to evolve as a platform for building the next generation of entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders who will drive Africa’s economic transformation.
NBC said the initiative is a reflection of its ongoing commitment to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development, highlighting the crucial role of young people in shaping the continent’s future. Through the programme, participants gain access to mentorship, skills training, and real-world learning experiences that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.
In a bid to deepen its impact, Youth Empowered has expanded its offerings beyond workshops and seminars. Earlier this year, select beneficiaries participated in an intensive culinary masterclass designed to refine their skills and unlock opportunities in the growing food and hospitality sector. Three participants received ₦1 million each to support the launch of sustainable small businesses, while ten others were placed within NBC to gain workplace experience and hands-on exposure to corporate environments.
Since its inception, the initiative has trained thousands of young Nigerians in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, career development, and leadership essential skills that empower them to turn ideas into enterprises and ambitions into tangible outcomes. Its training model combines expert-led sessions with mentorship and networking opportunities, helping participants build businesses or secure meaningful employment.
The 2025 tour promises even more practical engagement. It will feature interactive workshops and capacity-building sessions focused on business development, digital transformation, and career advancement tools that are especially critical for youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) navigating today’s economic realities.
Following the Kaduna launch, the tour will move to other states including Ondo, Port Harcourt, Edo, Benue, Niger, Jos, and Delta. This builds on the 2024 edition, which reached youth in Abuja, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Enugu, Lagos, Kano, Anambra, and Maiduguri.
Through each new edition of Youth Empowered, NBC is reinforcing its mission to provide young Africans with the tools, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive , strengthening not just individual livelihoods but the resilience and competitiveness of the wider economy.
