International Breweries Plc, part of global brewing giant AB InBev, celebrated a decade of its flagship youth entrepreneurship programme, Kickstart, at a high-profile awards ceremony in Lagos. The 2025 edition brought together government officials, development partners, and business leaders, including former Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Ogun State’s First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun.
Launched to empower Nigerians aged 18 to 35, Kickstart provides business training, mentorship, and seed grants to young entrepreneurs across sectors such as retail, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, circular packaging, and renewable energy. Over the past decade, the programme has trained more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, invested over ₦800 million in enterprise development, and supported 470 small businesses, creating more than 1,000 jobs nationwide.
Speaking at the ceremony, International Breweries’ Managing Director, Carlos Coutiño, highlighted the programme’s evolution from a regional pilot to a national engine for youth-led enterprise development. He reaffirmed AB InBev’s long-term commitment to Nigeria, noting a $380 million (₦513 billion) investment to strengthen operations and expand economic opportunities across the value chain.
Prof. Osinbajo commended Kickstart’s sustained impact, noting its role in unlocking Nigeria’s youth potential: “For a full decade, you have invested in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial future by providing early-stage funding and support to businesses founded by young people under 35. This vibrant youth population holds the potential for a massive development dividend, and Kickstart is central to realising it.”
The 2025 edition received around 5,000 applications, with 476 participants completing intensive training through a partnership with Pan-Atlantic University’s Enterprise Development Centre. Finalists were assessed on innovation, viability, and potential impact, with 45 beneficiaries receiving grants totaling ₦60 million.
Among the winners, Oluwadunsin Bolaji of DunsinCraft Collection Ltd received ₦3 million for her climate-focused recycling enterprise, converting used sachet water packs into fashion accessories, while Samuel Adewumi was recognised for innovation in retail. Alumni stories highlighted Kickstart’s transformative effect, including a solar entrepreneur who scaled a ₦2 million grant into a ₦70 million business and a beekeeping founder whose enterprise expanded operations across three countries.
Dr. Peter Bamkole, Chairman of the International Breweries Foundation Advisory Board, praised the programme’s inclusivity, particularly its integration of women and persons with disabilities, and emphasized its broader community impact: “When we empower youth, we empower communities; and when communities thrive, the nation transforms.”
The event featured a documentary tracing Kickstart’s 10-year journey, showcasing its measurable impact on Nigeria’s entrepreneurial landscape. International Breweries reaffirmed its commitment to supporting youth-led enterprises, strengthening local communities, and fostering sustainable economic growth through long-term investment and partnerships.
Kickstart continues to be a model of youth empowerment, economic inclusion, and MSME development, demonstrating how sustained corporate support can translate into tangible national impact.
