The ÓKÓBÌ Initiative
A community driven economic movement harnessing the power of Igbo kindreds to build businesses, create jobs and grow wealth across all 27 LGAs of Imo State. Launched in 2022. Internationally recognised. Growing every day.
What is ÓKÓBÌ?
ÓKÓBÌ, the One Kindred One Business Initiative, is built on a simple idea: that people can come together to collectively own and grow a business, whether they are an extended family, a village, a community, or a group bound by shared purpose.
At its core, ÓKÓBÌ is group based entrepreneurship. Instead of one entrepreneur at a time, it creates many at once, pooling resources, knowledge, and networks to build something bigger than any one person could alone.
Launched in 2022 by His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma, ÓKÓBÌ is now one of the most recognised community economic models in Africa, published by the London School of Economics and the recipient of 2 international awards.
Join the MovementÓKÓBÌ in Numbers
As at December 2025
Why Group
Entrepreneurship Works
Empirical evidence consistently shows that group based enterprises manage risk better, sustain longer, and create more jobs than individually owned businesses. When resources are pooled, no single person bears the full weight of failure, and when the business grows, everyone benefits.
In many individual programmes, beneficiaries sometimes mismanage or divert startup funds, leading to weak outcomes. ÓKÓBÌ solves this through built in accountability: because the business belongs to the group, every member has a stake in its success.
businesses created in less than 20 months, nearly half the employment footprint of the Imo State government itself
View Full List of Registered ÓKÓBÌ BusinessesTwo Ways to Do ÓKÓBÌ
The Association Model
The group forms an association with elected executives and registered members. The business belongs to the group, not to individuals. Members earn through shared profits and stipends. Businesses continue even after founding members move on, ensuring institutional legacy.
The Subgroup Model
Smaller specialist teams form within the wider ÓKÓBÌ umbrella. These groups are personally owned and co managed by founders. Ventures can grow and scale independently beyond the original group, members retain ownership while operating within the ÓKÓBÌ spirit.
To Be an ÓKÓBÌ Business
Every business operating under the ÓKÓBÌ initiative must meet six criteria:
Registered
Formally registered as a business entity
Group owned
Owned collectively, not by a single individual
Profit oriented
Designed to generate sustainable income
Professionally run
Governed with structure and accountability
Structured
Clear governance, roles, and decision making
Job creating
Must create employment for members and community
How ÓKÓBÌ Works
Individuals Organise
People come together, agree to participate, and register as an ÓKÓBÌ business group.
A Business is Chosen
The group collectively selects a business based on skills, local market needs, and available resources.
Registration & Support
The business is formally registered and receives training, mentorship, and access to funding opportunities.
Growth & Impact
Wealth is distributed across members as the business grows, creating jobs, building assets, and generating sustainable prosperity.
How ÓKÓBÌ Works with Partners
ÓKÓBÌ operates through a three actor system that ensures accountability, sustainability, and community ownership.
Facilitator
Stimulates, promotes, and funds the ÓKÓBÌ idea. Provides seed grants and resources to help communities start. Examples: Government, Bank of Industry, corporate partners.
Consultant
Advises both facilitator and communities. Implements the model through enterprise development, capacity building, governance support, and monitoring. Example: Africa Business Affairs (AfriBA).
Beneficiary Communities
Organise themselves to take advantage of the ÓKÓBÌ opportunity. They are the primary owners of all ÓKÓBÌ businesses upon establishment.
ÓKÓBÌ Goes Global
What began as a community initiative in Imo State now draws international attention as a model of community driven economic development, studied elsewhere as a template for inclusive growth.
ÓKÓBÌ has won 2 international awards and has been published by the London School of Economics, recognition of its academic rigour and its significance as a replicable framework for addressing unemployment across Africa.
120 communities across Imo State have embraced ÓKÓBÌ for community enterprise and job creation.
View All 461 Registered ÓKÓBÌ Businesses
ÓKÓBÌ in Action
Engr. Nathan O. Nwokoji graduated with a Marine Engineering degree and spent years searching for work after his NYSC in 2017. When he discovered ÓKÓBÌ, he saw an opportunity, and despite initial scepticism from neighbours, he persisted until he found like minded partners.
Together, they established a cassava farm spanning over 3 hectares across multiple locations in Opuoma community, and then a second business: a boat transport service that quickly gained strong patronage from villagers and farmers transporting produce to market.
"The worries and feeling of not having a job has been reduced since I embarked on this business. All I am thinking is how to grow my business to become a leading enterprise in the state."
"This ÓKÓBÌ initiative has inspired me in no small measures. I am more business oriented now than ever."
If you want to go fast, go alone., African Proverb
If you want to go far, go together.
Win Up to ₦5,000,000
to Fund Your Business
The Office of the Chief Economic Adviser partnered with the Bank of Industry to offer registered ÓKÓBÌ businesses grants of up to ₦5 million through the N500 Billion MSME Fund. This round of applications is now closed.
Ready to Join ÓKÓBÌ?
Whether your kindred is ready to register a business or you want to learn more, get in touch with our office today.