WhatsApp is shining a spotlight on Nigerian small business owners with a new three-week campaign highlighting how entrepreneurs are using digital tools to connect with customers, manage daily operations and grow their businesses. The campaign, titled “Power your hustle with WhatsApp Business,” follows three entrepreneurs in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja, offering a closer look at the people and stories behind their businesses.
Among those featured is Edibles by Lera Ipapanu, a Lagos-based snack brand founded by Mosumola Oladoye. The business is giving familiar local snacks a modern touch through improved packaging and convenient delivery. Oladoye described WhatsApp Business as the company’s “digital storefront,” pointing to its Catalogue feature as a useful tool that allows customers to view products, prices and available sizes before placing orders.
In Ibadan, FHR Spices, founded by Aminat Akinyemi, is building its brand around natural food seasonings made from carefully selected herbs and spices. Akinyemi said WhatsApp Business has become an important part of the company’s sales and customer relationship strategy. She also highlighted the Meta Business Agent, an AI-powered assistant that can respond to customer questions and provide product recommendations while business owners focus on production and other responsibilities.
The third business, Twinny’s Kitchen, is based in Abuja and produces packaged African food products for customers across Nigeria and the diaspora. Founder Augustina Onoriode said WhatsApp Business has helped the company turn everyday customer conversations into stronger relationships and sales. She uses the Lists feature to organise customers based on stages such as new orders, follow-ups, pending orders and waybill processing, helping her keep track of business activities more efficiently.
According to Meta’s Head of Communications for Sub-Saharan Africa, Oluwasola Obagbemi, Nigerian entrepreneurs are increasingly using WhatsApp for more than messaging, including finding customers, answering enquiries and closing sales. The campaign will feature documentary-style “day in the life” videos following the three entrepreneurs and will be shared across Meta Africa’s Facebook page and WhatsApp for Business social channels. With Meta Business Agent now working alongside business owners, WhatsApp is positioning AI and digital tools as practical support for Nigeria’s growing small-business community.
source: The guardian
