Noni Hub holds marketing and branding workshop for young entrepreneurs in Upper West Region

Noni Hub, a tech innovation lab based in the Upper West Region, has held a Marketing and Branding Workshop to empower young entrepreneurs with modern strategies to elevate their businesses and personal brands.

The training, held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Youth Authority (NYA), in Wa on October 2, 2024, sought to provide participants with the essential skills to position their ventures for growth and long-term success.

The workshop, facilitated by Dr Daniel Amporfro, a Student Entrepreneur Mentor at Ashesi University, covered a range of topics, with a strong emphasis on the importance of carving a niche market and separating personal identity from business branding.

Dr Daniel said there was a need for young entrepreneurs to focus on mastering their business niches, stressing that clarity in one’s niche is the foundation for building a strong and successful brand.

He encouraged participants to prioritize formalizing their business operations and registering their businesses, noting that registration is crucial for accessing investment and grant opportunities.

“We don’t mix business with pleasure. You must be formalized so you can tow a particular line with the business because the aim of the business is to grow into the future,” he said.

Dr. Daniel also emphasized the importance of building and nurturing strong customer relationships as he stated that having a loyal customer base is one of the most valuable assets any business can have.

He told the entrepreneurs that businesses driven by passion rather than purely by financial motivation tend to be more sustainable and fulfilling.

“When money becomes the focus of the business, then the passion is lost when there is no money […] even if things are going bad, because of the passion to get to where they want to get to with their business, they will continue,” he said.

Mr. Salihu Mohammed Awal, Programs and Business Development Manager at Noni Hub, explained that the workshop was designed to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively market their brands and position their businesses for future success.

He reiterated the hub’s commitment to supporting young businesses in the Upper West Region and urged the young entrepreneurs to put their new-found skills to practical use.

“Noni Hub is established with the mandate of ensuring that business propels in the region and go beyond, so we organize these programs to ensure that this is practically done.

“I urged all the young entrepreneurs to take up these opportunities when they come, not only coming to participate but implementing these strategies,” Mr Awal said.

A participant, Ms. Rafiatu Sako expressed enthusiasm that the training has inspired her to put her ideas into practice in developing a business and growing her brand.

“From here onwards, being a midwife, I am going to find ways and means to drive a business in health and even outside health as well,” he said with optimism.

The Marketing and Branding Workshop is part of Noni Hub’s ongoing efforts to build capacity among young entrepreneurs in the region, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Some of those efforts include its weekly The Developers Meetup that connects tech enthusiasts for learning and Digital Xperience, a basic Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training for Junior High School students and leavers.