LocationsHow Access to Finance is Transforming Small businesses and creating employment
Medina Hillary’s Story: From Survival to Success
July 22, 2026
Medina at her shop displaying the packaged products that she sells at her shop in Atlabara, Juba, South Sudan
UNDP/Maureen Omwanda
In the Atlabara area of Juba, South Sudan, Medina Hillary's story is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of access to finance, business training, and determination. At 49 years old, Medina has transformed a modest small business into a thriving enterprise that not only supports her family but also creates opportunities for vulnerable young women in her community.
Back in 2022, Medina faced a challenge familiar to many small business owners across South Sudan: she lacked the capital needed to buy enough stock to meet market demand. Selling products such as honey, lalop, groundnuts, and sim sim, she struggled to keep her business afloat amid rising inflation and increasing product prices.
Everything changed when she received a loan of SSP 1 million interest free loan from UNDP and the African Development Bank. The financial boost came at a critical moment. Medina immediately invested in expanding her stock and improving the packaging of her products. What may have seemed like a simple change quickly transformed her business.
The improved packaging gave her products a competitive advantage over other sellers, helping to build customer confidence and boost demand. As sales grew, so did her income. Today, Medina comfortably earns approximately SSP 300,000 per day, a remarkable improvement from her previous situation.
But Medina's entrepreneurial journey did not stop there. Demonstrating remarkable business acumen and discipline, she continued saving her profits and, in 2023, opened a restaurant serving local South Sudanese dishes. The new venture expanded her income streams while creating employment opportunities for others. Medina currently employs six young women aged between 20 and 28 across her food processing and restaurant businesses.
Among them is Stella Anthony, a 22-year-old orphan whose life has been profoundly transformed through the opportunity. After losing both parents, Stella faced an uncertain future. Financial struggles threatened to derail her dreams of higher education. Employment at Medina's restaurant, however, offered her a chance to rebuild her life.
Sarah preparing a customer order at Medina’s Restaurant, where she is earning and saving for her university education.
UNDP/Maureen Omwanda
"When my parents passed away, I felt like all doors had closed for me. Working for Medina has given me dignity, stability, and hope. I am now able to save money and pursue my education. I am currently a first-year Journalism student at the University of Juba, something I once thought would never be possible," says Stella.
In addition to the financial support, Medina credits much of her success to the business management, bookkeeping, and packaging training she received. The new knowledge equipped her with practical skills to manage her finances, track profits, and make informed business decisions.
Today, Medina can comfortably pay school fees for her own children and provide care for four orphans left behind by a relative. She can meet household needs and offer stability to her extended family, something that once seemed out of reach.
With gratitude, she acknowledges the support that helped make this transformation possible.
"I thank UNDP and the African Development Bank for believing in small business owners like me," she says. "Many women have the skills and determination to succeed, but they need financial support to grow. Small businesses need a boost to survive and prosper. I pray that this support continues so that more women can transform their lives and support their families," she says.
Looking ahead, Medina remains focused on growth. She is currently saving to purchase a groundnut processing machine and a tricycle to improve production capacity and expand her market reach. With demand for her products continuing to grow, these investments will allow her to serve more customers and increase her sales even further.
Medina posing in front of her restaurant she opened from the proceeds of her first business
UNDP/Maureen Omwanda
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