Women Empowered in Nigeria's Dairy Economy Through ALDDN

Women have been integral to Nigeria's dairy economy, engaging in milking, processing, and selling dairy products while managing household nutrition. Despite their contributions, around 25 million Nigerian women are unbanked, and 16 million rely on informal financial systems.

The gender gap in financial access has widened from 10% in 2012 to 12% in 2020, with projections indicating it will remain above 10% through 2027. The Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria (ALDDN) program has embedded financial inclusion into farmer organizations, allowing women to build financial confidence and access loans independently.

A traditional ruler in Zaria, Kaduna State, noted that women in his community were now saving and accessing loans without needing to rely on their husbands. By the program's conclusion, over 12,000 formal bank accounts were opened, and self-help groups mobilized approximately ₦75 million in savings, leading to increased financial security and stronger organizational participation among women.