50 rural women from Zaria, Kaduna State, have been admitted into the Nestlé Nigeria ‘Empowering Rural Women’ initiative for building stronger and sustainable businesses at the grassroots.
The programme had supported 432 women entrepreneurs across several communities in Nigeria, while the addition of the 50 women from Zaria brings the total number reached to 482 in five years.
The intervention also marked the beginning of a three-month mentorship period designed to help the women apply their training, manage the additional stock effectively and build stronger, more sustainable businesses.
Launched in 2021, the Empowering Rural Women Initiative supports women retailers who have demonstrated the determination to grow their businesses but have limited access to training, mentorship and the resources required to expand.
‘Women account for approximately 60 percent of the retailers in Nestlé Nigeria’s retail network. Every day, they help us reach consumers, build trust within communities and keep our business moving,’ Boladale Odunlami, commercial manager, Nestlé Nigeria, stated, highlighting the scale of their contribution and the importance of enabling their continued growth.
He added that their contribution is significant, and that the initiative reflects Nestlé Nigeria’s belief that the women who contribute to the company’s growth should have the opportunity to grow with the brand. ‘By investing in their skills and strengthening their businesses, we are helping them increase their earning potential while building a stronger, more capable and more resilient retail network.’
According to him, the programme monitoring shows that more than 80 percent of participants from previous cohorts have sustained and grown their businesses beyond the initial stock boost provided through the programme.
He disclosed that many of the previous beneficiaries operate at a significantly higher level than when they joined, with larger inventories, higher turnover, more customers and stronger financial and business-management practices.
The training for the Zaria participants covered bookkeeping, merchandising, stock management, financial management and customer service. Over the next three months, mentors will provide practical guidance as the women manage their increased stock.
The participants were encouraged to apply their new knowledge and reinvest their profits to support continued growth, and to also learn from one another and build relationships that could provide support beyond the formal mentorship period.
‘The true measure of this initiative is not the support we provide on the day, but what the women go on to build with it. Five years on, we are seeing women sustain their growth, expand their businesses and create greater economic security for themselves and their families,’ Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestlé Nigeria, stated.
According to her, the Zaria edition was delivered with the support of Nestlé Nigeria’s implementation partners and local distributors. During the mentorship period, their continued engagement will support the participants as they put their training into practice and work towards stronger, more profitable businesses.
‘As these women build stronger businesses and better livelihoods, they also strengthen the retail network that connects Nestlé to communities across Nigeria. It is a model in which progress for the women and progress for our business reinforce each other, turning an initial investment into lasting value.’