Strengthening Rural Economies Through Women-Owned Businesses
As part of its sustained effort to foster inclusive economic growth, Nestlé Nigeria has taken a significant step forward by extending its Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria initiative to Agbara in Ogun State. This latest phase of the programme brings 49 new female retailers into the fold, bolstering the initiative’s reach and impact across Nigeria’s underserved communities.
Launched five years ago, the Nestlé Empowering Rural Women project is designed to strengthen the capabilities of women operating small-scale retail businesses in rural and semi-urban areas. The initiative offers a comprehensive support package—combining business training, mentorship, and product grants—to help participants improve the profitability and sustainability of their ventures.
Women enrolled in the programme receive practical knowledge in key areas such as book-keeping, customer service, inventory management, and merchandising. These resources are complemented by access to Nestlé’s distribution network, helping retailers expand their business reach and boost income potential.
Since its inception, the initiative has recorded impressive milestones. With the inclusion of the new Agbara cohort, the number of women beneficiaries has risen to 431 nationwide. Many of the earlier participants have seen their businesses grow by up to 300%, demonstrating the real-world value of the training and support provided.
The programme also reinforces Nestlé Nigeria’s broader sustainability goals, especially in promoting gender equity, economic empowerment, and rural development. By focusing on women at the grassroots, the company is helping build resilient communities while strengthening its own value chain.
The expansion to Agbara marks another chapter in a growing success story that aligns corporate strategy with community upliftment. For Nestlé, it is not only about doing business but doing good—enabling more Nigerian women to thrive as entrepreneurs, providers, and leaders within their communities.
A Model of Inclusive Growth
At the launch ceremony in Agbara, Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé Nigeria’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, underscored the significance of the initiative in fostering economic inclusion.
“Nestlé Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria is about creating genuine opportunities for women. Supporting rural women to scale their retail operations by up to 300% within just three months is not only beneficial for business but also essential for fostering a more inclusive economy, stronger families, and resilient communities.”
She emphasized the symbolic importance of launching the Agbara edition, noting the community’s longstanding relationship with Nestlé.
“Opening new doors for hardworking women determined to build better futures for themselves and their families in Agbara holds significant meaning for us, as this community has been home to Nestlé Nigeria for over four decades. We have witnessed the transformative impact of structured training, mentorship, and business grants on the 382 women who have already benefited from this initiative, and we are confident that we will see more success stories emerge from Agbara. Through this initiative, we are not only supporting individual entrepreneurs; we are investing in ripple effects that will benefit the entire community.”
Investing in Community-Led Growth
Boladale Odunlami, Commercial Manager at Nestlé Nigeria, elaborated on the broader purpose of the program:
“At Nestlé, we are intentional about creating growth opportunities across every segment of our value chain. The Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria initiative was launched in 2021 to support women retailers in underserved communities, recognizing their critical role in driving local economies. Since its inception, over 380 women have benefited from the program, with more than 85% reporting sustained business expansion. With product grants valued at up to 300% of their existing business size, participants have improved their turnover, increased revenue, and strengthened their community presence. This edition is particularly special, as the participants were nominated by their own communities and will each receive product grants worth N200,000. We are excited to welcome the Agbara cohort and are confident that, with the support we provide, they will continue this legacy of progress and success.”
Each new participant from Agbara will receive product grants valued at N200,000 — equivalent to up to 300% of their current business size. Odunlami noted that these grants have led to higher turnover, increased revenue, and greater presence within local communities.
What makes this edition special is that the participants were nominated by members of their own communities, reinforcing the program's grassroots approach.
Royal Endorsement and Community Support
Representing the Alagbara of Agbara, Olori Adeola Agunbiade praised Nestlé’s consistent engagement with the community and encouraged the women to make the most of the opportunity.
“Our community enjoys a peaceful and respectful relationship with Nestlé, which enables us to work together effectively on community-led initiatives like the women empowerment program. We are delighted to see the women we have carefully selected from our community benefit from this program, whose impact we have heard about. I urge every woman here today to take full advantage of this training to build something lasting for herself and her family. I assure Nestlé Nigeria of our commitment to co-owning this project, which will further strengthen the long-standing bond with the people of Agbara.”
She also reaffirmed the community’s commitment to co-owning the project, calling it a new chapter in the enduring partnership between Agbara and Nestlé.
Changing Lives, One Woman at a Time
Participants shared stories of hope and gratitude as they embarked on their journey. Mrs. Eniola Fausat, one of the new beneficiaries, expressed her appreciation:
“This opportunity has opened my eyes to what is possible in my business. With the training and support, I am now more confident that I can improve my shop and better support my family. I thank Nestlé and the Alagbara for believing in us.”
Building Sustainable Impact Across Nigeria
The Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria initiative operates in nine locations across the country. It offers comprehensive support, including training in entrepreneurship, bookkeeping, customer service, and merchandising — all crucial skills for modern retail success.
Participants also benefit from a three-month mentorship program and product grants tailored to scale their existing businesses. Beyond economic support, the initiative aims to foster self-reliance and community resilience by unlocking the potential of rural women entrepreneurs.
With every new phase, Nestlé deepens its commitment to creating shared value, ensuring that more women are empowered to build sustainable futures — not just for themselves, but for the communities they serve.