News Archives - Bellafricana

MaryBarbara published in News October 30, 2021

Bukky Asehinde appointed as Zero Oil Ambassador for Nigeria

Bukky Asehinde, Founder and CEO of Bellafricana was recently appointed Zero Oil Ambassador for Nigeria. The Special recognition and announcement were made at Bellafricana’s 3rd edition of The African Creative Exhibition and Awards, [ACE Awards], held on Friday, the 29th of October, 2021.

The Executive Director of The Nigerian Export Promotion Council & President ECOWAS TPO Network, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, announced Bukky Asehinde’s appointment: Zero Oil Ambassador, putting her alongside other Zero Oil Ambassadors such as President Mohammadu Buhari, Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu and other prominent Nigerians.

Mr Olusegun Awolowo also awarded the winners at the ACE Awards with the Export Expansion Facility Programme [EEFP] Grant.

Bellafricana took to their official website and Instagram page to celebrate the win:

“What is arguably the best part of the evening, was the surprise announcement from the Executive Director of NEPC & President ECOWAS TPO Network, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, who awarded the winners the Export Expansion Facility Programme [EEFP] Grant. An unexpected but wonderful gift, that got the room erupting in applause, shouts of joy and a few tears shed. He did not stop there. He then proceeded to call on stage the Founder of Bellafricana – Mrs Bukky Asehinde, in what seemed to be commending all her efforts and this initiative, he then, right there, inducted her as the Zero Oil Ambassador for Nigeria. It was nothing short of a night filled with wonder.” To read the full article, click on ~~ ACE Awards post press release

The event attracted a host of notable personalities, such as Mr Olusegun Awolowo [Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) & President ECOWAS TPO Network], Mr Tobi Asehinde [CEO/Founder Digital Marketing Skills Institute], Mrs Yetunde Aina [CEO of Jadeas Trust], Mr Lanre Basamta [Group Head, Mobile Financial Services, Interswitch Group], Mr Lanre Adisa [CEO Noah’s Ark Communications].

Also in attendance were Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, Ms Lerato Lekena-Okoro [Real Estate Advisor], Mr Oluwaseyi Adegoke-Adeyemo (Vice-Chair, Events committee) of Nigeria-Britain Association [NBA], Mrs Eyiyemi Olivia [Compere, OAP & Dress maker], Mr Ayodeji Saba, Mrs Nnena Fakoya-Smith [Tourism Promoter & Visibility Coach] and all of our media and strategic sponsors.

The event was proudly sponsored by The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and Access Bank and W-Community, and supported by Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI), Noah’s Ark, Inside Watch Africa, Cybertron Ads, Pride magazine, OWA Foundation, Jordan FM, Exquisite magazine, Pulse Ng, and Arise Television.

ACE Awards 2021 official sponsors & partners

This is another feat for the ever industrious Mrs Bukky Asehinde – oops. I mean the newly appointed Zero Oil Ambassador for Nigeria, Mrs Bukky Asehinde. We cannot wait to see what next she has in store for us.

Until next time, be safe and be good!

MaryBarbara published in News October 11, 2021

Bellafricana launches e-commerce platform

Bellafricana Launches E-commerce Platform to give more African Creatives visibility and promote African made products

Bellafricana launches “Bellafricana Marketplace,” an e-commerce site to promote African made products of quality and boost the visibility of African creatives. The platform provides distinct African made products of global standard with top quality and at the best prices.

With different products ranging from fashion to arts and crafts, home decor and beauty products, Bellafricana Marketplace is fast positioning itself as the largest e-commerce platform that promotes and trades African products to the world.

Commenting on the launch of the platform, CEO, Bellafricana, Bukky Asehinde said that it has always been a dream of hers to create a platform that bridges the gap between creative producers in key industries and their global customers.

“Many times we see talented African creatives struggle to sell their products not because they are not good enough but because these products don’t get the visibility they deserve. Some of these products can stand shoulder to shoulder with products from big international brands but then they do not have a platform to connect with global customers. This is the problem that Bellafricana Marketplace moves to solve.” She said. “We want this platform to be a go-to resource for African entrepreneurs to develop and grow their retail businesses and brands on a global scale.” she continued.

Africa is currently experiencing massive growth in the digital economy and as a result, online retail is a development that has come to stay in the continent.

According to a report by Statista, e-commerce in Africa was valued at 16.5 billion dollars in 2017. Another report recently revealed that this value could well go up to 75 billion dollars by 2025. This goes to show that the growth of e-commerce in the continent is very promising.

Even with this development, 70% of creative business owners say they struggle to be seen by their potential customers and 85% of creative business owners say they are unable to find customers to buy their products. This not only affects their businesses but could also affect their mental well being.

With a platform like Bellafricana Marketplace, African creatives will not only get more people to see their products but will also be able to reach a global market where these products are in high demand.

We continue to see African made commodities and African made crafts going mainstream in recent times both within Africa and the global market. Products like Adire, Aso-oke, Kente, African beads, Shea butter and other African products are now being recognised globally and adapted by both Africans in diaspora and people from other races all over the world. Due to this reason, the need for more African made products has relatively increased. Setting up a platform like Bellafricana Marketplace to give African creatives and match them with global customers could not have come at a better time.

Also speaking on the launch of Bellafricana Marketplace, MaryBarbara Ugboma, a member of the Bellafricana team reaffirmed the position of the platform as a bridge to close the gap between African creatives and global customers.

She went further to say “we want to ensure that no matter where you are in the world, you can get a piece of Africa with you. We want to make more African products available to the world. You can trust that every product you will find on Bellafricana Marketplace are not things you will find at a regular e-commerce store. This is strictly African.”

With top-notch shopper experience, African-made products at affordable prices, seamless retail processes and an outstanding customer support system, Bellafricana Marketplace has already started recording success.

Bellafricana Marketplace. Click on the picture to watch inspiring stories from the Creators on Bellafricana Marketplace

Popular Nigerian brands have already begun to list their products on Bellafricana Marketplace such as:

Not Just Pulp

Not Just Pulp- Bellafricana launches e-commerce platform — **Iyaniwura by Not Just Pulp**. Click on the picture to visit their store

Ronke Scott

Organic Life Plus

Zivanora

Mimiremi Textiles

Amal Botanicals

Morin O.

Modara

Abela World

Asologe

Bosh Designs

Mitimeth

Water Hyacinth Woven Coasters & Caddy - Bellafricana launches e-commerce platform — **Water Hyacinth Woven Coasters & Caddy by Mitimeth**. Click on the picture to visit their store

Ethnik Afrika

Pillow Talk

O’Eclat Designs

And the platform is open to other African creatives who want more exposure and who want to connect with global customers. Simply visit the website, www.bellafricanashop.com/ to begin

To achieve the mission to empower over 100,000 Creative entrepreneurs by the year 2030 to start, grow and scale profitable and sustainable global creative businesses, Bellafricana has come up with this initiative and is open to partnering and collaborating with more governmental agencies, public/private corporations, and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) to achieve this.

Start shopping for unique and rich creations today!

#ShoprichcreationsfromAfrica

#Bellafricanamarketplace

MaryBarbara published in Bellafricana ACE Awards, News October 4, 2021

The top 5 nominees are up!

Ladies and gentlemen, the top 5 nominees are up!

ACE Awards is back and with a bang! Nominations for this year’s ACE Awards opened on the 30th of August, 2021, with 15 categories and votes have been coming in, so much so that it nearly crippled the site! Yep, you read right. There were over 7,000 votes within the first few days and approximately 15,000 within 2 weeks! There was no doubt that the nominees came with their A-game.

An exciting journey it has been and it is my absolute pleasure to announce that the top 5 nominees are up! They are:

1) Best Indigenous Textile Designer

Afrikstabel
Akwete Fabrics by Beeju
Lowo Africa
Shayfaari Fabrics
Asologe Fashion House

2) Best Beauty Brand

ORIKI Lagos
Modara Naturals
Jaga Beauty
Mint Organic Care
Amila Naturals

3) Best Fashion Brand (Clothing/Shoes)

K.Aspen
87 Origins
Ako Africa
Kkerele
Babayo

4) Start-Up of the Year

Just Journal
Anesi Lifestyle
Hafsat Signatures
The Lightning Artz
Dhoney Nigeria

5) Best Accessories Brand (Jewelry, Bag)

AABOUX
Becawax
Ola House of Accessories
Helade & Sola Bags
Kuvaah

6) Best Eco-friendly Product

Oke Partners
Trash2wealth Initiative
WHY WASTE IT
Mariep Creations
Spectabilis Creations

7) Best Innovative Product of the Year

Marienne Clay World
1851 Agidingbi
My Sibi
Nibcard Games
The Da Brand

8) Best Pioneer Craftsman/woman of the Year (Over 10 years)

Sahara Sunrise
RAULEROYAL
Yetroslane
Kijipa Couture
Bosh Designs

9) Best Food Produce Innovation

Lim Lim Dried Fruits
Jam Coconut Foods
Ologi
Klay Foods
Adys Agro Processing Limited

10) Best Creative Child Entrepreneur

Amarachi Uyanne
Raeslimebar
Praise Emmanuel Adebayo
Zees Shea Hub
Sammy’s Special

11) Best Creative Social Enterprise of the Year

Help Mum
The Creative Hub
Chanja Datti
Kids Clean Club
Solar Sister Nigeria

12) Best Creative Children’s Brand

9ijakids
Wealah Kids
Clove Kids
PreshLight Creations
Bqsafewash

13) Best Arts and Crafts Person

ARTINI
Adams Anne
Presley Artz
Vudoh
Hooked by Lade

14) Best Home & Lifestyle Brand

Doormats Nigeria
Ekondo
Yasmin Crafts
Q Candles By Kanyin

15) Best African Brand

Kua Designs Ghana
Florinyah Tanzania
Imiso Ceramics (South Africa)
Tekura Designs Ghana
Deepa Dosaja (Kenya)

Voting has begun for the top 3, so hurry now and start voting for your favourite brand. Voting closes on the 12th of October, 2021 by 12.00am.

The voting process would determine the top 3 winners of each category. Thereafter, a judging panel will review the official 3 nominees and select the winners.

Visit aceawardsafrica.com/vote now.

👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾For guidelines and process, visit: aceawardsafrica.com/guidelines

Stay Creative, Stay Innovative.
ACE Awards team

Bellafricana published in News August 23, 2021

3rd Edition of The African Creative Exhibition and Awards (ACE Awards)

Bellafricana is set to hold the 3rd Edition of the annual African Creative Exhibition and Awards (ACE Awards) which will take place on Friday, the 29th of October, 2021 at the BWC HOTELS, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.

Bellafricana is a tech-enabled community that provides a platform for creative entrepreneurs in the fashion, arts & craft, health & beauty, home & living, food produce & snacks industry, to gain visibility, increase sales, have the right business support and structure that gives them the capacity to grow their business.

One of the many ways Bellafricana provides visibility is by giving recognition to these creative entrepreneurs, hence why it’s so exciting to announce the 3rd Edition.

The Annual African Creative Exhibition and Awards (ACE Awards) aims to laud the creative works of Nigerians (Africans) and is certainly one of the strongest tools in awakening creative, innovative and entrepreneurship drive in young people in Nigeria and indeed Africa.

The past 2 editions have garnered more than 6000 participants from different states in Nigeria and other parts of Africa; Captains of Industry, Upwardly Mobile Youth, Marketers, Trade Delegations & Missions, Procurement Officers, Brand and Business Managers, Art Lovers, Investors, Governmental Representatives as well as policymakers meet at this one-day event that is aimed at celebrating creativity and innovation.

The aim of the ACE Awards remains the same:

To acknowledge and celebrate creative and innovative works made by Nigerians (Africans).
Honouring the creative and tenacious spirit of the African producer.
Encouraging and inspiring new talents within the various Pan African industries through its annual program.

3rd Edition of the annual African Creative Exhibition and Awards (ACE Awards) would bring together the best creative minds in the fields of fashion, Arts & Craft, Health & Beauty, Home & Living, and Food Produce & Snacks Industry including 15 Creative Entrepreneurs that would benefit highly from this event. Preserving the African culture and promoting these Creatives, this year’s theme is “Creativity and Innovation in Nation Building”.

Bukky Asehinde, Managing Director at Bellafricana says “Everyone likes a pat on the back when they have done something good. Our mission for the ACE Awards is to give these Creative Businesses a platform to receive the recognition they have long deserved. In showing our support and following what we do at Bellafricana, we would be granting some creative entrepreneurs business support worth $2,500.

The event has been endorsed by the Lagos State Government, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and Nigeria-Britain Association.

ACE Awards 2021 has also received backing from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Digital Marketing Skill Institute (DMSI), Access Bank & W Community, Business Day, Inside Watch Africa, Exquisite Magazine, Jordan FM, Cybertron, Pulse Ng, Pride magazine Nigeria and many more.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event is going to be a bit different. While it would still be a 3 part event, there will be online Flash sales, a physical Exhibition for a limited number of brands, which would run simultaneously with the Creatives’ Connect Networking Event and the ACE Awards Dinner which will be held at the peak of the event.

Event Details [ACE Awards Dinner]:

Theme: “Creativity and Innovation in Nation Building”

Dinner Theme: “A touch of Africa”

Date: Friday, October 29, 2021

Venue: BWC HOTELS, 1228B Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria (Opposite Eko Atlantic).

Time for Awards Dinner: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

For partnership and sponsorship details, please contact the organizers;

Call: (+234) 808 636 3970

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Creatives Connect.

The Creative Connect is an event created purposefully for creative entrepreneurs to meet, connect, bond and network amongst themselves. It provides access to a networking session with SME owners, creative entrepreneurs, Industry leaders and creatives from all walks of life discussing how they settled in to work during the pandemic and moving forward; essential business advice, collaborations and so much more. Bellafricana is always finding ways to help both upcoming and established creatives to harness the resources available to build their businesses stronger. And this event is just one of them.

In that same vein, Bellafricana would be giving business support worth $2,500 to several lucky creative entrepreneurs.

Event Details:

The Creatives Connect Theme: “Connect, Converse and Collaborate”

Date: Friday, October 29, 2021

Venue: BWC HOTELS, 1228B Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria (Opposite Eko Atlantic).

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Register now, as limited slots are available.

Exhibition & Flash sales

Why attend? This is a great way to connect, network and shop!

It is the tradition to host an exhibition where attendees get the opportunity to buy quality Nigerian creative products on a large scale. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, only a limited number of brands would be hosted at this one of a kind offline and online shopping experience.

Bellafricana will be hosting you physically at the venue and virtually at flash sales which will showcase quality fast-selling creative products and you can buy them at the click of a button.

The watchword at Bellafricana is Quality, to this effect; Be rest assured of the availability of top-quality creative African-owned businesses at the flash sales.

The 4 focus categories for the exhibition are:

Arts & Crafts
Fashion
Health & Beauty
Home & Living

Here are some of the benefits of Flash sales:

Access to New Market
Sales and New Contacts
Opportunity to Participate at future events/exhibitions
Gain Valuable Knowledge

This is one event you don’t want to miss.

Event Details [Exhibition]:

Venue: Offline at the Event Venue – BWC HOTELS, 1228B Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria (Opposite Eko Atlantic). And Online on Bellafricana Marketplace Website – www.bellafricanashop.com

Date: Friday, the 29th October 2021

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Signed Management

Jemimah Iwok published in News October 17, 2020

What Is The #ENDSARS Protest? And How Can You Support The Movement?

WHAT WAS THE SARS UNIT SET UP FOR?

“SARS is one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department which was established to detain, investigate and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of crimes.”- Wikipedia

It started out as a faceless, 15-member team that traveled in two unmarked buses, its officers often wearing neither uniforms nor name tags. At first, this anonymity helped them successfully thwart crime. However, as the force began to grow, their unidentifiable nature served as an enabler to reckless behavior.

WHY WAS THE SARS UNIT ASKED TO BE DISBANDED?

The SARS unit has been accused of targeting young people who appear well-dressed, shaking them down for money, and torturing and abusing and even killing those who resist. Amnesty International says it documented more than 82 cases of abuse and extrajudicial killings by SARS officers from January 2017 to this May.

And these are only cases that have made it to the records. There are several alleged unrecorded cases of severe police brutality on Nigerian Youths. At first, this anonymity helped them successfully thwart crime. However, as the force began to grow, their unidentifiable nature served as an enabler to reckless behavior. The SARS unit has been accused of targeting young people who appear well-dressed, shaking them down for money, and torturing and abusing and even killing those who resist.

There are claims that some youths have been thrown in jail by SARS officials for refusing to concede to their illegal demands. A report states that 1 out of every 5 youths between ages 18-35 has been harassed, extorted by the rogue SARS unit.

WHAT IS THE #ENDSARS PROTEST?

On October 10, 2020, Nigerian Youths decided to take the online protest to the streets. They had had enough of the faux promises to disband SARS and wanted their voices to be heard. The protest kicked off in Lagos and has now spread to several parts of the country.

HOW HAS THE GOVERNMENT RESPONDED TO THIS MENACE?

In 2017, the Federal Government attempted to disband SARS, but to no avail.

In 2018, the same move was made, but with little or no success.

In 2019, IGP Mohammed Adamu ordered the immediate “decentralization” of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

Did this move work? You guessed right, it didn’t.

WHAT DO THE NIGERIAN YOUTHS WANT?

Here’s is the 5-point demand by Nigerians without which the protest won’t end.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Get Informed Educate yourself and stay updated on news about the protest (Check out theslackactivists for more information)
DONATE-The Feminist Coalition has all the information you need should you want to donate monetarily. You can also donate your skill-artwork, medical expertise, music etcetera
PROTEST-Lend your voice to the cause either online or physically. You can also do both. If you’re protesting online, ensure to share only verified information. Don’t forget to use the #ENDSARS hashtag.

Please stay safe and cautious at these times while we fight against this gross injustice.

“SO POWERFUL IS THE LIGHT OF UNITY THAT IT CAN ILLUMINATE THE WHOLE EARTH.” –Baha’ï Writings

REFERENCES

Wikipedia

NY Times

Stylist.Co

Jemimah Iwok published in News October 4, 2020

Tony Elumelu, Other Powerful Africans Named in “Times 100” List Of Most Influential People

According to the TIMES 100, one of Africa’s foremost Investors, and Philantrophists, Tony Elumelu, has been named as one of the “Most Influential People In The World” for the year 2020.

Other Africans who made it to the list are, Tomi Adeyemi (Writer of Children of Blood and Bone),and Tunji Funso (Chair of Rotary International’s polio-eradication program in Nigeria.)

Who is Tony Elumelu?

Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu is an African economist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. (Wikipedia)

Here is how the “The Tony Elumelu Foundation” describes him:

“Tony Elumelu is the Founder and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, his family owned investment company, committed to improving lives and transforming Africa, through long-term investments in strategic sectors of the African economy, including financial services, hospitality, power, energy, technology and healthcare. He is also the Chairman of pan-African financial services group, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), which operates in 20 countries in Africa, the United Kingdom, France, and is the only African bank with a commercial deposit taking licence in the United States. He also chairs Nigeria’s largest quoted conglomerate, Transcorp, whose subsidiaries include Transcorp Power, one of the leading generators of electricity in Nigeria and Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigeria’s foremost hospitality brand.

Mr Elumelu is the most prominent champion of entrepreneurship in Africa. In 2010, he created The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), the philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, catalysing economic growth, driving poverty eradication and ensuring job creation across all 54 African countries. Since inception, the Foundation has funded just under 10,000 entrepreneurs and created a digital ecosystem of over one million as part of its ten year, US$100m commitment through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Self-funded, the Foundation is increasingly sharing its unique ability to identify, train, mentor and fund young entrepreneurs across Africa, with institutions such as the UNDP, the ICRC and leading European development agencies.

Heirs Holdings, which serves as a corporate role model for African businesses, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation will both celebrate 10 years of impact in November. Their mission continues to be inspired by Mr Elumelu’s economic philosophy of Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the continent.”

A little about Tomi Adeyemi

“Tomi Adeyemi is the #1 New York Times-bestselling Nigerian-American author of Children of Blood and Bone. After graduating Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she received a fellowship to study West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil.

When she’s not working on her novels or watching BTS music videos, she can be found blogging and teaching creative writing on her website. She lives in San Diego, California.” (Source: Good Reads)

She made it to the Times 100 List (as recommended by John Boyega) because her Novel “Children of Blood and Bones” has been described an inspiration for younger people. It has won the 2018

Goodreads Choice Awards Best Debut, as well as the 2019 Audie Audiobook of the Year

Meet Tunji Funso

Dr. Funsho, a cardiologist based in Lagos, Nigeria, is the first Rotary member to receive the honour of “TIMES 100” for the organisation’s work to eradicate polio, having played an essential role in ensuring Africa’s certification as wild polio-free in August of 2020.

The leader of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, who doubles as a member of Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on Polio, has worked tirelessly on various fronts to champion the eradication of polio in Nigeria and Africa in general.

As the leader of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, Funsho has worked alongside Rotary members throughout the country to raise awareness about the importance of polio immunization, encouraged governments and public figures to support polio eradication, and served as a vocal leader and advocate for Rotary’s fight to end polio in Africa. (This Day Live)

I’m honoured to be recognised by TIME for my part in ensuring that no child in Africa will ever again be paralysed by wild polio, a disease that once disabled 75,000 African children every single year,” said Dr. Funsho. “Eradicating the wild poliovirus in Africa was a team effort that required cooperation and dedication of governments, partners, Rotary members, hundreds of thousands of health workers, and countless parents who chose to have their children vaccinated against polio,” he added.

We are so proud of Africans who through their good works keep the spotlight shining on Africa. Their achievements are definitely worth celebrating.

Jemimah Iwok published in Articles, News August 27, 2020

Bellafricana Launches Free Listing for Creative, African-Owned Businesses

Free Listing Alert!

Hello there! I am excited to announce to you, that Bellafricana has opened up the opportunity for creative business owners to list their African-owned products on the Bellafricana website for FREE. Oh yes! You read that quite correctly!

In other words, Bellafricana says, you as a business owner can set up an online shop on the website.

Prior to this time, only Bellafricana members could get their creative products listed on the website.

However, Bellafricana is always thinking of how they can impact as many business owners as possible especially this Covid-19 period. We’re very much invested in the easing the business journey of creatives (as much as possible) because we understand how daunting doing business alone can be.

That’s why we decided that business owners can have their creative products listed on the website at zero cost.

You might wonder:

What will a free listing on the Bellafricana website do for you?

You get your products in the eyes of a global audience: Our well-ranked website puts your products right in the faces of those who search for them. We aren’t just content with making your product locally available, but are ensuring that it is globally accessible as well. We have gotten a number of feedback from existing members, who have secured partnership deals, gotten patronage from international audiences and lots more. See one of such testimonials below:

2. Get Easily Found on Google: The truth is that brands are less likely to be trusted if a potential customer can’t find enough information about them online. That right there (not enough info), is a red flag for some. Just what if you can’t afford to get a website just yet? A listing page would be a great place to start.

Once your listing is set up on the Bellafricana website, it will become much more easier for your brand name to come up, when it is searched for.

3. Drive traffic to your website, and social media

Now, that is not to say that having a website cancels out the functionality of a listing page. Infact, the Bellafricana listing page can also help drive traffic to your website, and even your other social media handles. How? When setting up your listing page, you can insert the links to as many as 30 social media handles/ website links. Let me show you what the outcome looks like:

All these and more are the benefits of setting up your listing page.

So, what makes you eligible to setting up your listing page?

Your products need to be:

Top quality
Creative, and
African-owned

As an African-owned business, you don’t have to reside in Nigeria (or Africa) to be eligible. The important part is for the brand to be owned BY an African.

Check out this video that puts it all together:

How do you get started?

Just click on this link to begin setting up your free listing page, and start gaining the visibility your brand needs to grow and scale.

Watch out for a tutorial on how to list your products for free.

Till then, kindly spread the word to as many creative business owners as you can so they can all benefit from this immense opportunity.

Jemimah Iwok published in bellafricana, News June 9, 2020

Bellafricana’s stand on the current world happenings

Bellafricana's stand on current happenings

So much is going on in the world and indeed it can be a somewhat emotional turmoil.

Since the beginning of the year, we have had many unfortunate incidences happen and more than ever before, African-owned businesses are at the brink of dying.

Each day, we as a community-based platform, access ways we can prevent this from happening and deploy methods that can reverse this radical trend.

We stand against racial injustice, rape and every other ills that plague our system.

The Bellafricana community is filled with relentless and audacious African women and men, we join our strength with yours.

Our core mission is to inspire you everyday and look for ways to support every member of our community.

Just as it’s paramount that Bellafricana remains true and focused to its objective towards our members & the community at large.

We are happy to let you know that we have started to explore ‘actionable’ ways to lend our support and voice to those standing against the horrible and evil acts plaguing our society.

We advise you do so too, with us, as we are ALL in this together

Signed,
The Bellafricana Management

Jemimah Iwok published in News May 5, 2020

Bellafricana turns Four Years | Unveiling something new

On the 30th of April, our darling Bellafricana turned Four (4) years! Whoop! Whoop!

4 years of promoting the beauty of Africa not just to Africa, but to the world. 4 years or redefining the creative entrepreneurs story to the world, a story of quality, of sustainability, and of growth.

I recently just joined the Bellafricana family, but if being a part of this family could have such tremendous impact on my life in such a short while, then I can only begin to imagine how much Bellafricana has done for Members who have been around much longer.

On April 30th, when we posted this picture, it garnered 77 comments, and going through them brought so much joy.

One of the comments read :”Congratulations Bellafricana! It feels longer than 4 years considering how much you’ve grown and the amazing impact you have made”

And I couldn’t agree more! I was having a chat with my boss (and the founder of Bellafricana) Bukky Asehinde and she said to me: “I have never had small dreams for Bellafricana”.

And the manifestation of that statement is evident. In 4 years, we have become a game changer in the creative space. We have brought creative business owners from different parts of Nigeria, and Africa together, and our dreams are ever expanding.

Which brings me to the big news: On our anniversary date, we announced that we will be unveiling something really BIG on the 11th of May.

How big? Super super Big!

This unveiling will be ground-shaking! And you do not want to miss the big announcement.

Should I give you a clue? Nah, I won’t but starting tomorrow, we will be dropping teasers and hints up until the Launch date. So, if you’re not following us on Instagram, do that right away. Infact click on this link to do so.

Also, April 30th marked the end of the 30-day Bellafricana creatives challenge.

If you participated in the challenge (as much as you could), bravo to you. The feedback we got from participants were so encouraging. Some got an upsurge of profile visits, others were able to connect with their customers, while some made lots of sales!

We are super happy to have championed a cause that changed the lives of many business owners for good.

If you participated, I would love to hear from you. Kindly leave me a shout-out.

In 6 days, we will be unveiling something exciting! Make sure to follow us on social so you can see LIVE updates! Countdown to May 11!

Incase you missed it, Bellafricana will be having a two-fold celebration on MAY 11. Two-fold? Yes! We are Launching a new platform that will be beneficial to ALL creative business owners across Africa! (more details at the unveiling).

That’s not all! We will also be celebrating the 4th Year Anniversary of our great community.

Guess what? We’ll be partying on Zoom! DJ confirmed as you can see on the flyer. We will also be entertaining Industry experts as well.

So here’s the thing: We are limited to a certain number of participants (100) and slots are filling up. I would very much want you to be part of that experience. So that’s why I’m bringing the Invite to your Inbox. Register here, so that we can reserve your slot:

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Jemimah Iwok published in News February 23, 2020

How the new finance bill affects businesses in Nigeria

The president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari not too long ago signed the Finance bill into law.

The Finance bill subsequently amended to “The Finance Act” saw to it that Value Added Tax (VAT) formerly 5% was increased to 7.5% for any product and services sold in Nigeria.

The President in a bid to shed light on the decision had explained that:
“This Finance Bill has five strategic objectives in terms of achieving incremental but necessary changes to our fiscal laws”

These objectives are:

Promoting fiscal equity by mitigating instances of regressive taxation
Reforming domestic tax laws to align with global best practice
Introducing tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and capital markets
Supporting Micro, Small and Medium-sized businesses in line with our Ease of Doing Business Reforms; and Raising Revenues for Government.

The new law states that small businesses with a turnover of less than N25 million are to be exempted from Companies Income Tax, while it lowers the tax rate for companies making up to N100 million from 30 percent to 20 percent.

This is expected to come as a relief to the lot of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, most of which already struggle to stay afloat in a hostile business environment.

What the increase in VAT really means

When the rate was 5%, it means that for a price of ₦1000 the buyer will pay an extra of ₦50 as VAT to government making the bill a total of ₦1050. If the item is to be used or for consumption, then that is where the VAT story ends.

But if the Item is to be sold, or used to produce something else which will be sold at say₦1500, then VAT of ₦75 needs to be charged, so the buyer pays ₦1575.

Since the first buyer payed VAT of ₦50 (input VAT) when the initial item was bought, he/she is entitled to deduct it from the VAT of ₦75 just charged (output VAT) and only pay the difference of ₦25 ( ₦75 – ₦50) to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The above scenario is the same but the VAT has now been increased from 5 percent to 7.5 percent.

A Positive Effect?

Small and Medium scale enterprises in Nigeria are starved of capital as poor access to finance constitutes a major constraint for businesses.

Similar challenges encountered by the sector include the high cost of doing business and multiplicity of taxes, a problem the new bill looks to eliminate.

In analysis of the bill, some industry players had this to say:

“The initiative is laudable and the modifications to the fiscal rules around taxation are clearly aimed at creating an enabling business environment and alleviating the tax burden for small and medium enterprises”
-KPMG (accounting firm)

“With unrestricted access into the bank accounts of companies, businesses are now open to paying taxes more than ever. And to reduce tax evasion”
-Tayo Oluwole (Tax consultant)

“It is clear the amendments that the Act makes to existing tax laws will have a “significant impact” on businesses operating in the country.”
-Andersen Tax (website)

In consideration of standard of living and ease of doing business, the Finance Bill seeks to cushion the harsh effects of the 7.5% VAT by introducing other palliative measures.

For example, stamp duty on receipts became ₦50 for every transaction worth ₦10,000 and above, instead of the ₦1,000 threshold earlier used by banks.

Also, for Company Income Tax (CIT), businesses with a turnover of less than N25 million will be exempted.

CIT for businesses with sales of between 25 to 100 million falls from 30% to 20%. Also,businesses which pay their taxes on time will get a reprieve of 2%.

What do you think of the new finance bill? Have you started implementing it in your business? I would love to know!

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