Nestlé Nigeria Supports 50 Zaria Women Retailers to Strengthen Their Businesses
Nestlé Nigeria has marked 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 commenced a three-month mentorship programme to guide the participants as they manage their additional inventory, apply their new skills and work towards building more sustainable businesses.
Launched in 2021, the Empowering Rural Women Initiative is designed to support women retailers who have demonstrated the determination to grow their businesses but face limited access to business training, mentorship and resources needed for expansion.
With the addition of the 50 Zaria beneficiaries, the programme has now reached 482 women entrepreneurs across communities in Nigeria, up from 432 before the latest edition.
Programme monitoring indicates that more than 80 per cent of women who participated in previous cohorts have sustained and grown their businesses beyond the initial support received. Many of the beneficiaries have expanded their inventories, increased turnover and customer numbers, and strengthened their financial and business-management practices.
Speaking at the event, Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, said women play an important role in the company’s retail network and in sustaining commerce within their communities.
He said, “Women account for approximately 60% 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. Their contribution is significant, and we value them as important business partners.
“The Empowering Rural Women Initiative reflects our belief that the women who contribute to our growth should have the opportunity to grow with us. 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.”
The training provided to the Zaria participants covered key areas including bookkeeping, merchandising, stock management, financial management and customer service. Over the three-month mentorship period, the women will receive practical guidance on managing their increased stock, applying their knowledge and reinvesting profits to support further growth.
The participants were also encouraged to share experiences and build relationships with one another, creating opportunities for peer support beyond the formal mentorship period.
Reflecting on the five-year journey of the programme, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestlé Nigeria, said the long-term impact of the initiative remains a key measure of its success.
“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,” she said.
According to Uwadoka, the initiative demonstrates Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value approach by supporting women to build stronger livelihoods while also strengthening the retail network that connects the company with consumers across Nigeria.
The Zaria edition was implemented with the support of Nestlé Nigeria’s implementation partners and local distributors. Their continued involvement during the mentorship period is expected to help the beneficiaries put their training into practice and improve the performance and profitability of their businesses.
As the Empowering Rural Women Initiative enters its next phase, Nestlé Nigeria says it will continue to build on the progress achieved over the past five years and extend opportunities for more women retailers to develop stronger and more sustainable businesses.