Nigerian Breweries Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian retailers and sub-distributors through targeted entrepreneurial capacity training aimed at improving business growth and sustainability. This pledge was made by the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Thibaut Boidin, during the closing-out ceremony of the Empowerment to Drive Growth and Excellence (EDGE) 2025 programme held recently in Lagos.
The EDGE initiative, which began in July 2025 in Awka, was developed in response to challenges highlighted by retailers who participated in the company’s Voice of Customer sessions. According to Nigerian Breweries, these discussions revealed that many business owners were struggling with operational stability, proper financial management, and attracting and retaining customers. The company explained that EDGE was built to address these concerns by equipping retailers with business knowledge, digital tools, and post-training consultancy to help them operate more effectively.
“In the past year, navigating Nigeria’s business and economic environment, we have witnessed many retail and sub-distributor outlets shutting down. Our customers made it clear that they needed stronger business support, and EDGE was our response: Empowerment to Drive Growth and Excellence. Through this programme, we trained over 360 customers across 12 regions, equipping them with practical skills, business tools, and free inventory apps to help reduce losses and strengthen their operations. At Nigerian Breweries Plc, we believe that when our customers grow, we grow. EDGE reinforces our unwavering commitment to being true partners in progress,” Boidin said.
The programme covered 360 high-value retail outlets and sub-distributors across 12 regions in Nigeria. Participants were exposed to modules designed to strengthen their operational performance, boost customer loyalty, and improve long-term business health. The training took place over two days and featured financial literacy lessons, bookkeeping guidance, customer management training, and staff development approaches.
The facilitator of the programme and Chief Executive Officer of Tom Associates, Temitope Jegede, explained that participants engaged in detailed discussions on balance sheets, cash flow statements, and profit-and-loss systems. He noted that they also worked through customer service practices, efficiency models, and team-building methods essential for running successful and resilient businesses.
Jegede highlighted the practical nature of the sessions, stating that the training was intentionally interactive, giving participants the chance to self-assess their operations and identify gaps. He added that the exposure to record-keeping systems, inventory monitoring techniques, and customer relationship building helped retailers understand the importance of structured business management.
Participants expressed excitement and gratitude, describing the programme as insightful and transformative. Many stated that the training opened their eyes to long-existing operational errors they had unknowingly repeated over the years. These included oversight in financial tracking, customer engagement, and product stock control.
One beneficiary, Awesu Ahmed, noted that the training helped him uncover gaps in his business and provided tools that could improve efficiency, such as inventory applications that would enhance monitoring. Another participant, Juliet Nwafor, said the record-keeping lessons would help her track daily transactions more accurately and support the growth of her retail business.
The event ended with the presentation of certificates to participants, marking what the company described as a symbol of its long-term commitment to strengthening the retail chain in Nigeria.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, a member of the HEINEKEN Group, was incorporated in 1946 and produced its first bottle of STAR lager beer in 1949. Today, it operates nine breweries and distributes 19 brands including Heineken, Maltina, Life, Amstel Malta, Gulder, Desperados, Fayrouz, and Legend across the country. The company has also received several awards in areas such as product quality, marketing, innovation, corporate responsibility, health and safety, and sustainability.
