Nestlé Help More Nigerian Women Gain Financial Security

Thirty-two women from Ikorodu, Lagos, have joined the 250 beneficiaries of Nestlé’s Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project, through which Nestlé is helping rural women in Nigeria build financial security to improve their standard of living. This is achieved through training, mentorship, and grants, in the form of Nestlé products. Beneficiaries of the programme are female retailers in Nestlé Nigeria’s value chain.

Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria aims to help beneficiaries scale up their businesses and sustain the new level of up to three times the size of their existing businesses. Each beneficiary receives grants valued at 300% of their monthly sales in the form of Nestlé products, business trainings and a 3-month mentorship programme. Each beneficiary is linked to a mentor for one-on-one coaching over the three months, to ensure their success.

At the induction of the thirty-two new beneficiaries in Ikorodu recently, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, Mr. Khaled Ramadan said, “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. With this addition, 282 women across five geopolitical zones of Nigeria now have a unique opportunity to scale up their businesses by 300%.”

Mr. Phranklin Adu, Head, Partnerships & Training at FDConsults, implementation partner of Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project said, “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.

FDConsults is an NGO with a record of equipping business people in rural areas with the information and skills they need to increase their household income, and improve their standards of living.

The inclusion in Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, was well received by the beneficiaries in Ikorodu. One of them, Mrs. Olubunmi Adeoye, expressed her gratitude to Nestlé for the opportunity to be part of the project. “I am so happy that Nestlé chose me to benefit from this programme. It is a wonderful opportunity,”

Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project began in August 2021, with 50 female retailers from the suburbs of Abuja. The programme has expanded to include more women from the South-East, North-East, South-South, and South-West, including Lagos. Over 80% of beneficiaries have reported an increase of 100% to 200% in their business growth, within three months of joining the programme.

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 its value chain.