In the river valley of northern Senegal, women are at the heart of agricultural production, family management, and simply life. They grow, harvest, and market commodities essential to the country's food security. Yet one reality persists: many of them cannot read or write, holding them back from their full potential.

In response to this, Nestlé Senegal, through its MAGGI brand, has launched an ambitious literacy program for women onion producers in the River Basin. The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Literacy and National Languages (DALN) of the Ministry of National Education, as well as with the Saint-Louis Academic Inspectorate at the decentralized level.

It aims to strengthen the capacities of key actors in the rural world, by promoting their role in promoting literacy and national languages. The first phase of the program enabled 100 women producers to benefit from training in reading, writing, mathematics, nutrition and entrepreneurship. The classes,

The sessions, taught in local languages (Wolof and Pulaar), are organized three times a week, in three-hour slots, to allow women to continue their activities. A program well appreciated by the beneficiaries.

“Before, I didn’t know how to calculate my expenses. Now, I can track my sales and even save for next season,” says Mother Cheikh SALL, an onion producer in Gaé, a village about twenty minutes from Dagana, in the Saint-Louis region.

In Gaé, Fatou, another beneficiary of the program, testifies with emotion: "This program has given me back my confidence. Today, I recognize letters, I can count with my children... and I am proud of it."

This project is part of Nestlé's vision, which places the inclusion and empowerment of women at the heart of its values. By investing in the knowledge and skills of women from rural areas, the company aims to sow the seeds of a more equitable and resilient future.

For Boris Akanza Konan, Marketing Director of the MAGGI brand, this initiative goes beyond the educational framework:

“Literacy among women producers is not just a matter of education; it’s about creating shared value. By empowering them to better manage their businesses, we contribute to their empowerment, the prosperity of their families, and the sustainable development of farming communities,” he says.

At Nestlé, our commitment isn't limited to providing quality products to Senegalese families. It's also about nurturing the dreams of those who bring them to life, because their ambition matters to us.