Nestlé Nigeria has marked the 10th edition of its Empowering Rural Women Initiative by supporting 50 women retailers in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The company in a statement on Wednesday, said that the initiative, which was in its fifth year, provided the beneficiaries with practical business training and grants in the form of Nestlé products valued at three times their existing stock.
It said that the beneficiaries would undergo a three-month mentorship programme to help them apply the skills acquired, manage their additional stock and build sustainable businesses.
Launched in 2021, the statement noted that the initiative had supported women retailers who had demonstrated determination to grow their businesses but had limited access to training, mentorship and resources.
“Before the Zaria edition, the programme had supported 432 women entrepreneurs across several communities in Nigeria.
“The addition of the 50 Zaria beneficiaries brings the total number of women reached by the initiative to 482,” the organisation said.
Nestlé Nigeria said monitoring of previous cohorts showed that more than 80 per cent of participants had sustained and grown their businesses beyond the initial stock support.
It noted that many beneficiaries now operated at significantly higher levels, with larger inventories, increased turnover, more customers and improved financial and business management practices.
Speaking at the event, Mr Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, said women accounted for about 60 per cent of retailers in the company’s retail network.
He said that women played an important role in reaching consumers, building trust in communities and sustaining the company’s retail operations.
“Women account for approximately 60 per cent 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,” he said.
Odunlami noted that the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to enabling women who contributed to its growth to also grow their businesses.
He said that the training covered bookkeeping, merchandising, stock management, financial management and customer service.
He explained that during the three-month mentorship, the beneficiaries would receive practical guidance on managing their increased stock, applying their new knowledge and reinvesting profits to support continued growth.
Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, the Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, Nestlé Nigeria, said the true measure of the initiative was what beneficiaries built with the support received.
“Five years on, we are seeing women sustain their growth, expand their businesses and create greater economic security for themselves and their families.
“That is creating shared value in action,” she said.
Uwadoka said stronger businesses and improved livelihoods among the beneficiaries would also strengthen the retail network connecting Nestlé with communities across Nigeria.
She said the Zaria edition was delivered with the support of Nestlé Nigeria’s implementation partners and local distributors.
The company said it remained committed to building on the progress recorded over the past five years and supporting more women to develop stronger and sustainable businesses.
