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Photo: MADE II Team with FMCG Sales Representatives in Edo State
The Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE II) programme funded by UK aid has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Unilever Nigeria Plc. Major Distributors, Charles Aman Nigeria Limited and Sylika Global Resources Limited in Edo State.
MADE II and Unilever Major Distributors in Edo have established a partnership to strengthen micro-distribution and retailing of FMCGs in poorly served rural and peri-urban areas and improve access to FMCGs by consumers at the bottom of the pyramid.
In Edo and Delta states, like other parts of the country, the wholesale and retail sector has consistently been a major employer with small scale businesses being dominant actors. The sector comprises varied demographics within the population including the poor and women who participate mainly as micro-retailers. Micro-retailers in these states suffers major limitations to business growth, ranging from low-profit margins, high cost of transportation, long stock-out periods, to poor bookkeeping practices.
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Through the partnership, the intervention will deploy a mobile point of sale platform for micro and small businesses to access cheaper supplies through their buying group network. The indigenous platform known as PayByana will stimulate pro-poor growth in the wholesale and retail sector, enhance record keeping and provide market intelligence for both micro-retailers and partner organizations.
Under the partnership, MADE II will facilitate a network of micro-retailers to benefit from bulk purchases and easier access to FMCG goods through last mile deliveries by Unilever Major Distributors. This will, in turn, increase the participation of small actors in the wholesale and retail space, reduce stock-out periods, enable cost savings and improve profit margins for the rural and peri-urban retailers. Unilever through its Major will enjoy greater market penetration, brand visibility and direct access to ₦28 billion monthly FMCG consumption market in the rural and peri-urban areas of Edo state.
