CHAIRPERSON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S ANNUAL MESSAGE

In 2023, we surpassed expectations and reached numerous milestones. This was achieved by building on our past successes and venturing into new opportunities.

Despite the challenges posed by the removal of fuel subsidies, which led to an increase in the prices of goods and services, escalating inflation, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates impacting purchasing power, and the ongoing emigration of Nigeria’s skilled workforce (known as the “Japa” syndrome), alongside our partners, we have continued to devise innovative, people-centered strategies. Our mission remained steadfastto foster peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta.

We have enhanced our efforts in executing the community engagement component of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) through The Bridges Project, funded by the Ford Foundation. We have conducted workshops to raise awareness and build capacity among stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and communitybased organizations. These workshops aim to enhance their understanding of the PIA provisions and equip them with the necessary skills to effectively implement the requirements of the Petroleum Industry Act. Furthermore, The Bridges Project has established a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) tasked with ensuring the successful establishment and operation of the Host Community Development Trusts.

Through strategic partnerships with government entities, civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders, we have strengthened existing peace building frameworks, including Prevent Committees, Prevent Councils, Peace Champions, the Conflict Early Warning‐Early Response (EWER) system, and the Peace Map. In our ongoing efforts to cultivate a culture of peace and encourage a shift in attitudes and behaviors among young individuals in the Niger Delta, we have facilitated the creation of Peace Clubs in secondary schools and universities.

This year, we continued our commitment to facilitating vocational and soft skills training through our Youth Employment Pathways project. Additionally, we conducted another round of the Business Fund Challenge to aid the transition of interested youth beneficiaries into entrepreneurship, with 66 successful contestants awarded grants of USD 26,574 to kickstart their businesses.

A notable initiative this year was the implementation of the Health Electrification and Telecommunication Alliance (HETA) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Utilizing our established Access to Energy model, we provided reliable and affordable solar power to remote communities. This was achieved by contributing our financial and technical resources, leveraging a grant from the Alliance, and partnering with several private sector entities.

As a result, we were able to facilitate renewable energy access for 12 healthcare facilities and nearby communities across the Niger Delta. In our Market Systems Development project, we sustained our support for smallholder farmers and businesses, utilizing USD 9.03 million in investments from both public and private sectors.

This initiative enabled farmers and small business owners to embrace new methods and innovations. Our efforts resulted in the creation of over 14,600 jobs in the agroallied and renewable energy sectors, facilitated by commercially incentivized service providers.

In 2023, we embarked on new ventures, initiating the adoption of impact investment as an innovative alternative funding method for social development programs. We are establishing partnerships with industry experts and leaders.

Overall, the collaborative efforts of PIND and its partners are contributing significantly towards achieving our desired outcomes. We eagerly anticipate continuing this journey and making further strides in PIND’s mission.

14,600

Additionally, we completed a comprehensive brand audit of PIND, paving the way for the launch of a new brand strategy that underscores our progress to date and positions us for future growth. We also completed thirdparty impact evaluation studies, the most recent of which was conducted by Dalberg Consulting. This was supplemented by initial input from an ongoing Participatory Strategic Review (PSR).

The preliminary data from the impact evaluation and PSR validated the social impact of our programs.

Reducing Poverty Initiative

37,084 Improved KAP (Knowledge, Attitude, Practices) 65,443 Farmers & MSMEs reached (46% Women)

$ 43.2M In Investments from govt., donors, & private sector

$13.4M In additional income for farmers & MSMEs

$ 46.3M Extra income earned by farmers & MSMEs

14,683 Full-time jobs facilitated in PIND-supported sectors (39% Women)

$ 8.5M In investments by economic development actors

76,780 Full-time jobs created in PIND-supported sectors

989,825 Farmers & MSMEs received tech info & 503K improved productivity

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS & INITIATIVES

Facilitating Alternative Energy Solutions

$ 687K Investments leveraged in energy solutions

$ 634K Saved by users of renewable energy solutions

2,856 Businesses & households gained access to electricity for the first time $ 1.05M Saved by PIND-facilitated renewable energy users

Influencing Government Policies, Programs & Practices $ 1.7M Influenced government spending $ 671K Influenced donor spending

3,539 Businesses & households gained access to electricity

2,449 People utilized PIND’s peace data and analysis products

Reducing Conflict, Fostering Peace & Stability 108 Quality Actions by PIND-supported peace actors to mitigate conflict

38,622 Conflict data recorded for early warning & response

1,248

Peace Actors 36% women mitigated local conflicts

11,000+ Peace actors facilitated through the P4P Network

215 Peace Actors 43% women gained peace building & conflict mitigation skills

1,114 Emerging conflicts successfully mitigated

Empowering

Local Organizations & Youth

Employment

$104K

Raised by local organizations through PIND’s capacitybuilding support

2,228 Young people linked to employment and start-ups

1,700,000 People Reached Via Media

47 Forums Where PIND’s Work Shared 131 Public Endorsements

4,500,000 Social Media Views

40,104 First-time Website Visitors

308 Inquiry Emails Received

146 Media Reports about PIND 899 New Newsletter Subscribers

6,200,000 People reached in 2023