Nestlé Nigeria has supported female micro-retailers with specialized business training, three months of mentorship, and product grants worth triple their existing stock to help them build sustainable enterprises.
This was disclosed this on Thursday during the fifth anniversary and 10th edition of its Empowering Rural Women Initiative in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, emphasized the mutual benefits of investing in local business owners.
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He said, “The Empowering Rural Women Initiative reflects our belief that the women who contribute to our growth should have the opportunity to grow with us. 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.”
Over the next three months, mentors and local distribution partners will guide the participants to effectively apply their skills and reinvest profits for long-term growth. The training covers key business areas, including bookkeeping, inventory control, customer service, and merchandising.
With the addition of the Zaria beneficiaries, the program has now reached 482 women across Nigeria. Nestlé also noted that women represent roughly 60 per cent of its retail distribution network, making their success vital to commercial operations.
