Danone partners to support women dairy smallholders in Africa

AFRICA – Danone has joined forces with leading global companies, including USAID, PepsiCo, Unilever, McCormick & Company, and Nestlé Nespresso SA, to launch the Advancing Women for Resilient Agricultural Supply Chains (AWRAS) initiative. 

With a US$50 million co-investment, the initiative seeks to drive economic gains for women and communities, incentivize gender-responsive practices in the private sector, and influence policy for long-lasting systemic change.

As part of this initiative, Danone will expand its efforts to support women dairy smallholders in Africa, where they play a vital role in food production and supply chains. 

Through targeted interventions and skill development, the initiative will work towards empowering women in dairy farming and enabling them to thrive in the industry.

Through the Danone Ecosystem Fund, established in 2009, the company has already empowered over 45,800 women globally, providing them with training, employment opportunities, and the tools to succeed in traditionally male-dominated sectors like agriculture. 

The fund focuses on increasing social and economic inclusion while building sustainable supply chains.

In 2023, Danone launched the Women in Dairy Programme in South Africa, which was designed to upskill the next generation of farmers. 

The programme was designed to provide women with skills in manufacturing, quality control, marketing, and retail positioning, ensuring they are well equipped to lead in the dairy industry.

This initiative supported Danone’s broader sustainability goals, addressing the company’s commitment to improving health through food, as stated in its Impact Journey 2023. 

Meanwhile, with three key pillars: Health, Nature, and People, Danone is focused on driving positive change for the environment and the communities it serves, which it defines as its ecosystem.

In Africa, Danone’s commitment dates back to 1953, starting with operations in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia. 

However, the company’s footprint has grown significantly over the years, including key acquisitions such as Fan Milk in West Africa and Brookside Dairy in East Africa. 

These expansions have strengthened Danone’s role in the African dairy sector, allowing it to support more local farmers and provide high-quality dairy products to the continent’s growing population.

According to data from consulting cabinet AlphaValue, as of 2020, Danone employed 9,000 people in 40 African countries, with sales from the continent contributing around 7% of the company’s global revenue. 

Looking ahead, Danone aims to increase this contribution through strategic investments in dairy products such as fresh milk, fermented milk, cheese, and infant cereals, helping to meet the growing demand for nutritious foods in Africa.

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