Nestlé’s initiative, Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria, aims to assist women in rural areas to scale up their businesses and sustain their growth at up to three times the size of their current business. To achieve this goal, each beneficiary is provided with grants worth 300% of their monthly sales in Nestlé products, along with business training and a three-month mentorship program. To ensure success, each beneficiary is linked with a mentor for one-on-one coaching over the three months.
During the recent induction of 32 new beneficiaries in Ikorodu, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, Mr. Khaled Ramadan expressed his pleasure at the success of the program and the addition of 32 new beneficiaries. He also stated that with this addition, 282 women across five geopolitical zones of Nigeria will now have a unique opportunity to scale up their businesses by 300%. Nestlé is confident that the new beneficiaries will make the best use of the support provided through training, mentorship, and grants in the form of Nestlé products, leading to the transformation of their businesses.
FDConsults, the implementation partner of Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project, is an NGO focused on empowering people to improve their livelihoods. Mr. Phranklin Audu, Head of Partnerships & Training, expressed his delight in the impact of the project on rural communities, with over 80% of the beneficiaries reporting an increase in their incomes, leading to better support for their families.
One of them is Blessing Abayi, a single mother from Bauchi. Blessing used to struggle with paying her children’s school fees, but after three months in the program, she told us that for the first time, she paid the fees in full and on time, thanks to her growing business. We are inspired by her story and others like it.”
FDConsults is an NGO with a record of equipping businesspeople in rural areas with the information and skills they need to increase their household income and improve their standards of living.
The beneficiaries of Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria in Ikorodu were delighted with their inclusion in the program. Mrs. Olubunmi Adeoye expressed her gratitude to Nestlé, calling it a wonderful opportunity, while Mrs. Bukola Ajala praised the company for providing empowerment and free goods, saying she had never seen anything like it before and was excited to take her business to the next level.
The program began in August 2021, with 50 female retailers from the suburbs of Abuja and has since expanded to include more women from different regions of Nigeria. Over 80% of beneficiaries have reported a business growth of 100% to 200% within three months of joining the program. The best performing beneficiary, Mrs. Oghenetega Delight Jombo of Jombo Stores, Port Harcourt, achieved a business growth of 675% within six months of joining the program and has maintained a monthly turnover of over N547,623.67 since then.
Nestlé’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Victoria Uwadoka, reiterated the company’s commitment to improving household incomes and building thriving communities. Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Project is one way Nestlé Nigeria creates shared value along its value chain.
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