Nestlé Nigeria has provided 50 female micro-retailers with specialised business training, three months of mentorship and product grants valued at three times their existing stock, as part of efforts to strengthen women-led businesses and improve rural livelihoods.

The company announced the support at the fifth anniversary and 10th edition of its Empowering Rural Women Initiative, held in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Speaking on the programme, Commercial Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, Boladale Odunlami, said supporting local business owners creates value for both entrepreneurs and the broader retail ecosystem.

“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 said.

He said improving the skills and businesses of women retailers could boost their earning potential while contributing to a stronger and more resilient distribution network.

With the addition of the latest beneficiaries in Zaria, the initiative has now supported 482 women across Nigeria.

Nestlé Nigeria said monitoring data from earlier phases indicates that more than 80 per cent of participants have maintained and grown their businesses after receiving support through the programme.

Participants have also reported higher turnover, increased inventory levels and stronger financial management capabilities.

According to the company, the outcomes demonstrate the significant role played by small retailers, particularly women-owned businesses, in rural supply chains and local economies.

Women make up approximately 60 per cent of Nestlé Nigeria’s retail distribution network, making their business performance and capacity important to the company’s commercial operations.

The training delivered through the initiative focuses on practical areas of business management, including bookkeeping, inventory control, customer service and merchandising.

Support for the beneficiaries will extend beyond the initial training and product grants. They will receive three months of mentorship from mentors and local distribution partners.

The mentorship programme is intended to support beneficiaries in applying the skills gained during training, managing their businesses more efficiently and reinvesting profits to achieve sustainable growth.

The initiative also demonstrates the role of targeted business support in helping micro-retailers address challenges including limited business knowledge, insufficient working capital and weak financial management.

For the 50 beneficiaries, the combination of training, mentorship and additional stock offers an opportunity to strengthen business performance while improving their capacity to serve customers in their respective communities.

Nestlé Nigeria said the programme continues to focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and building a more resilient retail network connecting its products with consumers across Nigeria.

Source: MSME Africa Online