Nestlé Nigeria is helping rural women in Nigeria build financial security through its Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project, which has recently welcomed 32 women from Ikorodu as beneficiaries.
The program provides training, mentorship, and grants in the form of Nestlé products to female retailers in Nestlé Nigeria’s value chain.
The aim is to help them scale up their businesses and sustain a new level of up to three times the size of their existing businesses.
Each beneficiary receives grants valued at 300% of their monthly sales, business training, and a 3-month mentorship program.
At the induction of the thirty-two new beneficiaries in Ikorodu, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, Mr. Khaled Ramadan, expressed his delight at the success of the program, stating, “We are pleased with the success of the 250 beneficiaries of Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria and are delighted by the opportunity to include 32 more today. With this addition, 282 women across five geopolitical zones of Nigeria now have a unique opportunity to scale up their businesses by 300%. We are confident that the new beneficiaries will also transform their businesses, making the best use of the support Nestlé is providing through training, mentorship, and grants in the form of Nestlé products.”
The program has already had a significant impact on the beneficiaries, with over 80% of them reporting an increase of 100% to 200% in their business growth within three months of joining the program.
One of the beneficiaries, Blessing Abayi, a single mother from Bauchi, was struggling to pay her children’s school fees.
After three months in the program, she was able to pay the fees in full and on time, thanks to her growing business.
The head of partnerships and training at FDConsults, implementation partner of Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project, Mr. Phranklin Audu, expressed his delight at the impact of the program on rural communities, stating, “As an NGO focused on empowering people to improve their livelihoods, we are thrilled by the impact of this project on rural communities. Over 80% of the beneficiaries have seen their incomes grow and can support their families better.”
The inclusion of the new beneficiaries was well received by the beneficiaries in Ikorodu. Mrs. Olubunmi Adeoye, one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude to Nestlé for the opportunity to be part of the project, stating, “I am so happy that Nestlé chose me to benefit from this program. It is a wonderful opportunity.” Mrs. Bukola Ajala, another beneficiary, praised Nestlé for the empowerment and the free goods they provided, stating, “I have not seen any empowerment like this before. I know I am going to the next level.”
Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project began in August 2021, with 50 female retailers from the suburbs of Abuja. The program has since expanded to include more women from the South-East, North-East, South-South, and South-West, including Lagos.
Nestlé’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Victoria Uwadoka, reiterates the company’s commitment to building thriving communities by improving household incomes.
Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project is one of the ways through which Nestlé Nigeria is Creating Shared Value along her value chain.
