IWD : WOFAN Empowers 54,000 Women With Rice, Financial Inclusion

The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN) has empowered 54,000 underserved women through its mini agro-marketers as part of activities to marked the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD).

The initiative which aimed at bridging gaps in the agricultural value chain, combined rice distribution, financial inclusion and logistics support to foster economic independence for beneficiaries including widows and street food vendors across nine states.

Central to the initiative was the phased distribution of 54,000 bags of rice, split into three batches, to small-scale female traders who typically sell less than half a portion daily.

At the event in Kano, Dr. Salamatu Garba, Country Director of WOFAN’s ICON2 Project, emphasised the need for tangible solutions over rhetoric.

Dr. Garba explained that the initiative aligned with the Mastercard Foundation’s goal to create 10 million dignified jobs in Africa by 2030, including one million for Nigerian youth aged 18–35.

“We must move beyond discussions and take meaningful steps to uplift women by providing confidence, opportunities and economic independence.

This support allows women to expand their businesses, diversify income streams, and integrate into the full rice value chain”, she said.

Another component of the initiative according to her is the WOFAN’s mini logistics project which she added that will streamlines crop transportation to markets where farmers would receive seeds and fertilizer, grow crops, process rice at WOFAN centers using modern equipment and redistribute it to traders.

She added that beneficiaries could reinvest profits into ventures like egg sales, milling machines or vegetable farming.

To address financial exclusion, WOFAN also partnered with UBA and other institutions to open 90,000 bank accounts for women, providing ATM cards and POS systems for cashless transactions.

Professor Sani Miko, WOFAN’s Technical Advisory Board Chairman, lauded the inclusion of often-overlooked marketers in the value chain.

“Our five-year target is 675,000 farmers and processors, but marketers are vital. This initiative ensures no one is left behind”, Prof Miko said.

He also lauded Dr. Garba’s dedication and urged beneficiaries to use Ramadan to pray for her leadership.

One of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Khadija Dogon Bauchi expressed her gratitude saying “Dr. Garba has been a pillar, ensuring job opportunities and financial stability for women like us.”

On his part, Chairman of WOFAN’s Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) group in Kano, Bala Abdullahi, said, “Dr. Garba’s work gave us hope we never imagined, we pray for her health and success.”

Abdulmajid Yahuza Sulaiman, representing Kano Logistics Loaders, pledged reciprocity: “WOFAN transformed our lives, we’ll pay it forward by supporting others.”