Rakiya A. Muhammad
Mrs Fausat Eniola radiates joy as she reflects on her transformative journey through the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women Initiative. Designed to strengthen small businesses and enhance livelihoods within rural communities, the programme has not only expanded her business but also her dreams.
“This opportunity has opened my eyes to what is possible,” the Ogun State-based trader remarks, her newfound confidence shining through.
The initiative offers product grants that can triple beneficiaries’ existing business size, helping them increase revenue and strengthen their presence in their communities.
Through tailored training and mentorship, women like Fausat are building sustainable businesses.
Fausat is one of many beneficiaries of this Nestle Nigeria flagship initiative, which aims to foster inclusive growth within Nigerian communities. Over three months, participants receive hands-on training in managing stock and reinvesting profits, empowering them to scale their businesses significantly.
Sherifat Abdulfatai, a trader from Kaduna, shares her excitement as a programme participant. With practical training in bookkeeping and customer service, she feels equipped to elevate her operations and accelerate her business’s growth.
“It means sustainability for my business,” she says, her enthusiasm palpable as she anticipates larger inventories and a surge in customers.
Nestlé Nigeria, recognising the pivotal role women play in its retail network—making up about 60% of retailers—has embarked on a transformative journey through the Empowering Rural Women initiative.
Launched in 2021, the programme aims to uplift women in underserved communities, acknowledging their vital contributions to business and community trust.
It is a beacon of hope for women determined to grow their businesses but facing barriers to resources and training.
Sowing Seeds for Stronger Communities
Through this initiative, Nestlé invests in individual women and sows the seeds for stronger, more resilient communities, one shop at a time.
Boladale Odunlami, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, shares a compelling story of growth and resilience. Over 380 women have already benefited from the initiative, and more than 85% report significant business expansion. These women, once limited by their circumstances, are now thriving, with larger inventories and higher turnovers.
“The Empowering Rural Women Initiative reflects our belief that the women who contribute to our growth should have the opportunity to grow with us,” Odunlami says.
“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.”
This year’s edition is particularly poignant, as participants were nominated by their own communities and each received a grant of N200,000. Odunlami emphasises that the initiative is not merely about financial support; it’s about fostering a partnership that allows these women to grow alongside Nestlé. By investing in their skills and businesses, Nestlé is not just enhancing their earning potential but also fortifying a resilient retail network that benefits everyone involved.
Victoria Uwadoka, the Corporate Communications Lead, echoes this sentiment, saying the true measure of success lies not in the immediate support provided, but in the enduring impact these women create.
“As these women build stronger businesses and better livelihoods,” she highlights, “they also strengthen the retail network that connects Nestlé to communities across Nigeria; it is a model in which progress for the women and progress for our business reinforce each other, turning an initial investment into lasting value.”
The programme, she points out, is not merely about business growth—it is about crafting genuine opportunities that ripple through families and communities, fostering inclusivity and resilience.
Five years into the initiative, the results shine brightly: women are not just sustaining their growth; they are expanding their businesses and building stronger, more secure futures for themselves and their families.
For half a decade, the initiative has been a beacon of hope, illuminating pathways for hardworking women eager to transform their lives and businesses.
Nestlé calls this approach “Creating Shared Value,” a model that connects women’s progress with the company’s, turning early investments into long-term benefits for communities across Nigeria.
The stories of the 382 women who have already benefited resonate deeply in the localities, each one a vibrant thread in the fabric of their communities’ future.
Traditional leader, Alagbara of Agbara, His Royal Highness Oba Lukman Jayeola-Agunbiade JP, strongly supports this effort and helps connect Nestlé with the people of Agbara, where Fausat Eniola comes from.
Represented by Olori Adeola Agunbjad, he praised the strong relationship the company has built over the years and encouraged the women to take advantage of this growth opportunity.
“Our community enjoys a peaceful and respectful relationship with Nestlé, which enables us to work together effectively on community-led initiatives like the women empowerment programme,” he states.
“We are delighted to see the women we have carefully selected from our community benefit from this programme, whose impact we have heard about. This program is not just about individual success, but about building something lasting for families and the community.”
Phranklin Audu, Head of Partnerships & Training at FD Consults, an implementing partner of Nestlé with a rich history of empowering rural communities, provides essential training and mentorship, equipping women with the skills and knowledge to elevate their livelihoods.
As Audu reflects on the project’s impact, he speaks of a palpable change. Women, once confined to Grade-C retail status, are now climbing the distribution ladder, with significant increases in sales and income. This visible growth is not just a statistic; it is a testament to these women’s hard work and determination, and it is helping them dream bigger.
The Nestlé Empowering Rural Women project is an amazing initiative, Audu remarks, commending the visionaries behind it and the entire project team for staying true to the cause.
Voices of Gratitude
Beneficiaries pour out heartfelt appreciation, weaving together stories of hope and transformation. With every boost in sales and every rekindled dream, the initiative breathes new life into local economies and inspires women to shape their own destinies boldly.
Fausat dreams of a bustling shop that will uplift her family, and her gratitude to Nestlé shines through as she thanks them for believing in women like her.
“We thank Nestlé for the rural women’s support,” Fausat adds, her voice filled with hope for a brighter future.
Along with Sherifat, other recipients from Rivers and Kaduna States, Mrs. Joyce Nwaiwo, and Zainab Abubakar respectively, voice their profound gratitude for the priceless opportunities.
Zainab adds, “The support has renewed my hope of expanding my business and improving my family’s livelihood.” Her words resonate with countless others who have found new possibilities through the project.
Nestlé’s commitment to creating shared value shines through this initiative, which offers a trifecta of grants, training, and mentorship. Each phase of the project reinforces empowerment among rural women, enabling them to forge brighter futures for themselves and their communities. In a world often overshadowed by challenges, the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women Initiative stands as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward sustainable growth and empowerment.
And in this narrative of transformation, the women of Nigeria are not just participants; they are pioneers, crafting a future where their contributions are recognised, valued, and celebrated.
