Nestlé Nigeria Marks 5th Anniversary of Empowering Rural Women Initiative, Supports 50 Zaria Retailers

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 Zaria intervention also commenced a three-month mentorship programme aimed at helping the women apply the knowledge acquired during the training, manage their increased inventory and build stronger and more sustainable businesses.

Launched in 2021, the Empowering Rural Women Initiative is designed to support women retailers who demonstrate the drive to grow their businesses but face limited access to training, mentorship and resources needed for expansion.

Before the Zaria edition, the programme had supported 432 women entrepreneurs across communities in Nigeria. With the addition of the 50 Zaria beneficiaries, the number of women reached by the initiative has risen to 482.

According to programme monitoring, more than 80 per cent of participants from previous cohorts have sustained and expanded their businesses beyond the initial stock support received. Many have recorded growth in inventory, turnover and customer base, while also improving their financial and business-management practices.

Women entrepreneurs play a major role in sustaining local commerce across Nigeria, supporting household incomes and ensuring access to everyday consumer products, 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, highlighted the important role women play within the company’s retail network.

“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,” he said.

Odunlami added that the initiative reflects Nestlé Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that women who contribute to the company’s growth also have opportunities to strengthen their own businesses.

The Zaria training covered key areas including bookkeeping, merchandising, stock management, financial management and customer service.

Over the next three months, mentors will provide practical guidance to the participants as they manage their increased stock, apply the skills acquired and reinvest profits towards further business growth.

The women were also encouraged to learn from one another and establish relationships that could provide continued support after the formal mentorship programme ends.

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 are able to build after receiving support.

“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,” Uwadoka said.

She noted that the progress recorded by beneficiaries demonstrates the company’s Creating Shared Value approach, where improvements in livelihoods and business performance also contribute to strengthening Nestlé’s retail network.

The Zaria edition was delivered with the support of Nestlé Nigeria’s implementation partners and local distributors, who will continue to engage with participants throughout the mentorship period.

As the Empowering Rural Women Initiative enters its next phase, Nestlé Nigeria said it remains committed to expanding the programme and supporting more women to build stronger, more sustainable businesses and improve economic security for themselves and their families.