Nestlé’s Achievements and the Way Forward in Women’s Empowerment in 2025

Nestlé’s Achievements and the Way Forward in Women’s Empowerment in 2025

Introduction

Nestlé Nigeria continues to demonstrate its commitment to women’s empowerment as an integral part of its sustainability and shared value agenda. Over the years, the company has launched and expanded several initiatives aimed at promoting gender inclusion, entrepreneurship, and community leadership among women across different parts of Nigeria. As of 2025, Nestlé’s programmes have recorded tangible progress in empowering women, particularly within rural and small-business sectors, while also aligning with global gender equity policies. However, despite these achievements, there remain opportunities for broader impact and sustainability.

1. Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria (Rural Retailers Program)

One of Nestlé’s flagship initiatives, the Empowering Rural Women in Nigeria Programme, continues to expand its reach and influence. In 2025, the programme was extended to Agbara in Ogun State, where 49 additional female retailers joined the network. Since its inception in 2021, the programme has reached 431 women across nine locations nationwide.

The initiative supports participants with business training, mentorship, and product grants to help them grow their retail operations. Reports indicate that many of these women have scaled their businesses by up to 300% within three months of joining the scheme. This growth has translated into better income, community visibility, and overall livelihood improvement, underscoring the programme’s success in driving inclusive economic development.

2. MAGGI August Meetings and Community Outreach (Nutrition and Empowerment)

Through its iconic MAGGI brand, Nestlé continues to merge nutrition education with women’s empowerment. The 2025 MAGGI August Meeting outreach reached more than 8,000 women across 18 locations in five South-Eastern states of Nigeria. The initiative offered participants culinary and nutrition education while highlighting the importance of healthy family feeding and economic independence.

The programme also recognized women leaders and community influencers who have made notable contributions to their localities. This blend of empowerment and cultural engagement reinforces Nestlé’s belief that empowering women strengthens both families and communities.

3. Business of Food Workshops / Nestlé Professional

Nestlé Professional, the out-of-home food solutions arm of Nestlé, continued its Business of Food Workshops in 2025, focusing on women entrepreneurs in the food sector. The 2025 edition held in Benin City, Edo State, trained over 200 women—restaurant operators, caterers, chefs, and food vendors—on essential business skills such as menu planning, hygiene management, and customer service.

Over the last three years, the programme has positively impacted over 2,000 food businesses across Nigeria. By equipping women with relevant operational and managerial skills, Nestlé has helped strengthen female participation in Nigeria’s growing food service industry.

4. Global and Policy-Level Commitment

Beyond local programmes, Nestlé has continued to implement and refine global frameworks for gender equity. Its Gender Equity Action Plan (Salient Issues Action Plan for Gender Equity) outlines strategic steps to eliminate workplace discrimination, promote pay parity, and protect women’s rights within supply chains. The company also remains a recognized member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, reflecting its transparency and performance in gender inclusion metrics.

Through these policies, Nestlé reinforces its broader corporate responsibility to create an enabling environment for women—whether as employees, suppliers, or entrepreneurs.

5. Local Awards and Recognition

Nestlé’s impact in gender inclusion has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, the company’s women empowerment initiatives—particularly the Rural Women Programme—earned it recognition as a finalist in the “Best in Gender & Equality / Women Empowerment” category at the SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards. This recognition highlights Nestlé’s consistency in fostering equitable growth and promoting women’s roles in business and community development.

Challenges and Gaps Observed in 2025

While Nestlé’s initiatives have yielded impressive results, some challenges persist. The scale of impact remains relatively small compared to the broader population of rural women in need of support. For instance, empowering 431 women through the retail programme is commendable, but the potential beneficiary base is far larger across Nigeria’s rural landscape.

Sustainability is another concern. Although some women experience rapid business growth, the long-term viability of these gains amid economic fluctuations and market competition requires closer monitoring. Additionally, access to capital beyond product grants remains limited, and there is a need for more inclusive interventions across other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology.

Furthermore, public reporting on internal gender balance, especially within senior management roles in local operations, could be enhanced to maintain transparency and accountability.

The Way Forward: Strengthening Women’s Empowerment Beyond 2025

To consolidate gains and ensure lasting transformation, Nestlé and similar organisations can adopt the following strategies:

1. Scale and Geographic Expansion

• Extend empowerment programmes to more states and underserved communities.
• Partner with local NGOs and government agencies to identify and engage unreached women.
• Utilize digital platforms for training and mentorship to overcome distance barriers.

2. Broaden Sectoral Inclusion

• Expand initiatives to include women in agriculture, manufacturing, and emerging digital sectors.
• Provide tailored training for women exploring non-traditional trades and technology-driven ventures.

3. Access to Finance and Capital

• Introduce micro-loans, credit schemes, and savings groups alongside grants.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to improve access to affordable credit and reduce lending risks.

4. Long-Term Capacity Building and Mentorship

• Extend mentorship programmes beyond initial training, incorporating ongoing peer support networks.
• Integrate training on digital marketing, e-commerce, financial literacy, and business leadership.

5. Sustainability, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Implement systems to track participant progress over 12–24 months to assess real income and growth changes.
• Publish transparent impact reports and use findings to improve programme design.

6. Internal Gender Equity

• Continue promoting women into leadership roles and publish local gender representation data.
• Strengthen inclusive workplace policies—such as flexible working arrangements and parental leave.

7. Technology and Innovation

• Use digital tools (e-learning, mobile apps) for continuous engagement and education.
• Help women entrepreneurs access wider markets through e-commerce and digital business tools.

8. Partnerships and Ecosystem Building

• Collaborate with public institutions, UN agencies, and civil society to scale women-focused initiatives.
• Engage community leaders to challenge cultural norms that hinder women’s economic participation.

9. Advocacy and Policy Influence

• Advocate for gender-friendly financial and infrastructural policies.
• Support legal frameworks that strengthen women’s economic rights and workplace protection.

Conclusion

Nestlé’s women empowerment efforts in 2025 reflect a deepening commitment to inclusivity, social impact, and sustainable growth. Through targeted programmes in retail, food entrepreneurship, and nutrition, the company has transformed lives and inspired progress within Nigeria and beyond. Yet, to fully realize its vision of gender equality, Nestlé must continue expanding its reach, reinforcing long-term support mechanisms, and embedding empowerment into every level of its operations.

In doing so, the company not only uplifts women but also strengthens families, communities, and the broader economy—creating a ripple effect of empowerment that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment.