In the heart of Agbara, Ogun State, a quiet transformation is underway, led by a cohort of 49 women retailers.
Their small shops are the latest front in Nestlé Nigeria’s expanding campaign to fortify rural economies from the inside out.
Through its ‘Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria’ initiative, the company provides a potent mix of tailored business training, sustained mentorship, and direct product grants—each worth N200,000. This investment is designed to triple the scale of their enterprises within months.
The strategy is generating a ripple effect. “We are not only supporting individual entrepreneurs; we are investing in ripple effects that will benefit the entire community,” said Victoria Uwadoka of Nestlé Nigeria.
The programme, which has now reached 431 women nationally, strengthens the crucial distribution chain that serves millions, ensuring communities have reliable access to affordable nutrition.
This community-led approach, where participants are nominated by their traditional leaders, forges a powerful partnership.
The Alagbara of Agbara has pledged to “co-own” the project, signaling a shared commitment to building resilient local economies, one woman-owned shop at a time.
