Nestlé Nigeria has commemorated the fifth anniversary and 10th edition of its Empowering Rural Women Initiative with the support of 50 women retailers in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The initiative provided the beneficiaries with practical business training and grants in the form of Nestlé products valued at three times the value of their existing stock.
The intervention also marked the commencement of a three-month mentorship programme to help the women apply their new skills, manage their expanded inventory and build stronger, more sustainable businesses.
Launched in 2021, the Empowering Rural Women Initiative was created to support determined women retailers who face limited access to business training, mentorship and resources needed to expand their enterprises.
Prior to the Zaria edition, the programme had reached 432 women entrepreneurs across communities in Nigeria.
With the addition of the 50 Zaria beneficiaries, the total number of women supported has risen to 482.
Nestlé Nigeria said monitoring of previous cohorts shows that more than 80 per cent of participants have sustained and grown their businesses beyond the initial stock support received through the programme.
Many have increased their inventories, turnover and customer base while strengthening their financial and business management practices.
Women entrepreneurs play a significant role in sustaining local commerce across Nigeria, supporting household incomes and ensuring that essential products remain accessible to consumers, particularly in communities where small retailers serve as a vital link between consumers and larger markets.
Speaking at the event, Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, said women make up approximately 60 per cent of the company’s retail network and play an important role in connecting Nestlé products with consumers.
He said the initiative reflects Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that the women who contribute to the company’s growth are also given opportunities to grow their own businesses.
“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,” Odunlami said.
The Zaria training covered key areas including bookkeeping, merchandising, stock management, financial management and customer service.
Over the three-month mentorship period, the beneficiaries will receive practical guidance as they manage their additional stock, apply their new knowledge and reinvest profits to sustain business growth.
They were also encouraged to share experiences, learn from one another and build relationships that could provide continued support beyond the formal mentorship programme.
Reflecting on the five-year journey of the initiative, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestlé Nigeria, said the programme’s success should be measured by what beneficiaries achieve after receiving the initial support.
“Five years on, we are seeing women sustain their growth, expand their businesses and create greater economic security for themselves and their families,” she said.
According to Uwadoka, the programme demonstrates Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value approach, as stronger businesses and improved livelihoods among the beneficiaries also contribute to a stronger retail network for the company.
“The model turns an initial investment into lasting value, creating progress for both the women and our business,” she added.
The Zaria edition was implemented with the support of Nestlé Nigeria’s implementation partners and local distributors, who will continue to engage with the beneficiaries throughout the mentorship period.
As the Empowering Rural Women Initiative enters its next phase, Nestlé Nigeria said it remains committed to building on the progress achieved over the past five years and supporting more women to develop stronger, more sustainable businesses.
About Nestlé Nigeria
Nestlé Nigeria is a leading food and beverage company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for future generations.
With a portfolio that includes popular brands such as NESTLÉ PURELIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, MAGGI and NESCAFÉ, Nestlé Nigeria is dedicated to providing nutritious and delicious food and beverages to consumers across Nigeria.
