The MTN Foundation (MTNF), an independent charitable organization, was established in July 2004 by MTN Nigeria Limited, the largest mobile telecommunications operator in Nigeria. With activities focused on the three portfolios of health, economic empowerment and education and guided by development targets in the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), MTNF seeks to reduce poverty and foster social and economic development in Nigeria through various groundbreaking collaborations. In February-March 2007, under a commission from MTNF's Health Portfolio, DIN carried out a feasibility study of the major markets of Onitsha, Anambra State, with a view to identifying a suitable location for MTNF's flagship Project Cleaning the Local Environment around Nigeria (C.L.E.A.N.). Conceived by MTNF as a multi-sectoral response to environmental degradation in Nigeria's urban centres, Project C.L.E.A.N is promoting environmental health and sanitation through the establishment of urban micro-enterprises involving waste recycling as well as the provision of potable water and public conveniences. The pilot phase of Project C.L.E.A.N. is being implemented at the Alesinloye Market in Ibadan South West Local Government, Oyo State.

Niger Bridge at Onitsha Bridge Head		Entrance to Ogbaru Market. Other Onitsha metro-area markets covered during the assessments were Onitsha Main, Oseokwodu, Marine Relief, Ochanga, Bridge Head and Nkpor Area Markets.

For more information:
http://www.mtnonline.com

DIN's Gender Budget Transparency and Accountability Project (GBTAP) commenced in April 2006 with funding mainly from the European Union. In March 2007, the South West Regional Office of DFID provided a grant to DIN for the launch of a dedicated website for GBTAP and for the training of 90 State and municipal planning and budget officers from Lagos State on gender responsive budgeting. The website, http://www.lagosgenderbudget.net, was subsequently launched on 21 May 2007. All documentation and training resources generated by GBTAP are downloadable at no charge.

For more information:
http://www.lagosgenderbudget.net