In a move to further its commitment to building thriving communities, Nestlé Nigeria has expanded its Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Initiative to support 50 additional women entrepreneurs in Calabar, Cross River State. The initiative, which began in 2021, focuses on empowering female retailers through training, mentoring, and grants in the form of Nestlé products.
The latest beneficiaries participated in a comprehensive training program that covered merchandising, bookkeeping, and customer service. The initiative is designed to help women grow their businesses, achieve financial stability, and positively impact their families and communities.
Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, highlighted the program’s significance: ‘Nestlé is committed to contributing to efforts to build thriving communities. One of the pillars for achieving this objective is empowered women. For us therefore, the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Initiative is one of the ways we create shared value, contributing to the wellbeing of every stakeholder along our value chain while driving business success. This initiative has already yielded positive results among women in the seven rural communities already reached, and we are confident that we will have the same success stories among the 50 women participants from Calabar.’
Echoing her sentiments, Nestlé Nigeria’s Commercial Manager, Mr. Boladale Odunlami, elaborated on the program’s achievements: ‘The rural women empowerment project was created out of a need to address a gap. When our data showed that women retailers in rural communities were not growing as consistently as others, we partnered with FDC Consult to train the women, attach them to coaches and mentors and to support them with grants in the form of products worth about 300% of their monthly sales turnover. We are encouraged by the success of the 332 women who have been adopted into the program since its launch in 2021. 85% of them have maintained the 300% growth, with faster turnover, increased revenue, and stronger visibility of their outlets within their locations. This is why we are excited to onboard 50 more women, confident that they will take full advantage of the support provided through this program to transform their businesses and, by extension, their families and their communities.’
Beneficiaries like Mrs. Favour Effiong, owner of Favour Stores, expressed heartfelt gratitude: ‘My journey with Nestlé has been very productive. Today’s training and the grant received, will enable me to improve the standard of living for my family. I cannot thank Nestlé enough for this investment in my business. Thank you, Nestlé.’
Dignitaries at the event, including the Vice Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Honorable Chris Effiong, and His Royal Highness Etinyin Francis Edem Efa, praised Nestlé for its impactful efforts and encouraged beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity to expand their businesses.
Since its inception in August 2021, the initiative has empowered over 330 women across seven rural communities. Participants receive mentorship, training, and grants equivalent to three times their monthly sales turnover at the time of enrollment.
Through the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Initiative, the company continues to drive financial growth and community transformation, reinforcing its role as a leader in corporate social responsibility.