A Woman’s Journey: Transforming Tradition in Niger’s Dairy Industry

Mogadishu (AX) — When you think of economic powerhouses, you might not immediately consider camel milk. Yet, in Niger, a nation where nearly 90% of the workforce is supported by livestock farming, one visionary woman is turning the humble camel into a symbol of progress and prosperity.

Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar stands as a beacon of change. From the arid expanses of Niger, she has built a bustling business centering around camel milk, a product that once merely occupied the role of a communal staple, shared among villagers. But as times change, so do traditions. This once conventional wisdom is being redefined and reshaped, ushering in new economic standards. Her journey makes us ponder: How often do we overlook potential simply because it doesn’t align with current norms?

“I started by selling to rural communities in Niamey, but I soon realized there was a bigger market. People from different backgrounds saw the health benefits of camel milk, so I expanded,” Aboubacar recounts.

It all began in 2011 with just a modest herd of 30 camels, inherited from her family. At the time, commercial camel milk was a foreign concept in Niger. Milk wasn’t a commodity; it was a gift, freely given. Women owning large herds was even more rare. But Aboubacar’s story is a testament to seeing potential where others saw impossibility.

Today, her company, Habsatou Camel Milk, isn’t just surviving; it’s thriving, producing 160 to 200 liters of camel milk daily. This has expanded to include cheese and wagashi, local dairy favorites. But how did she manage to challenge a deeply entrenched patriarchal system and emerge as a leader?

Her early steps weren’t without hurdles. Family traditions cast a long shadow, initially resisting her revolutionary idea. “It was unheard of. Selling camel milk was frowned upon,” she admits. However, tradition gave way to her compelling vision. Her father, who once opposed the idea, became her most steadfast supporter.

Beyond familial hesitations, the real world presented its own labyrinth of challenges — sparse grazing land, shaky financial backing, and the looming threat of regional instability. Yet, amidst these challenges, she persisted and prevailed. In regions where security can be as elusive as rain, and formal systems like registration for camel milk production are nonexistent, she forged a path. “Without structure, it is difficult to grow the industry, protect our products, and ensure food safety,” she explains, capturing the essence of an entrepreneur’s struggle for establishment.

Geographically speaking, her business spans across two farms, situated 35 km and 60 km from the capital, Niamey. This means she is constantly on the move, navigating not just the physical but cultural distances as a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated world.

More than her enterprise’s success, Aboubacar is most passionate about empowerment. She is dedicated to helping other women break the mold, offering them training in dairy-related skills and encouraging a broader perspective on what it means to be financially independent. “Women don’t have to limit themselves to selling clothes or household goods. Camel dairy is a business that provides stability and a sustainable income,” she boldly states. This sentiment is not just a rallying cry but a lifeline to many women entrenched in traditional roles.

Women, inherently pivotal in Niger’s livestock farming landscape, still grapple for equality in land ownership and decision-making sectors. Aboubacar urges, “We still have a long way to go, but I believe women in Niger are strong. They must continue pushing for leadership roles in all industries.”

With dreams stretching beyond domestic borders, she envisions Habsatou Camel Milk on a continental stage, as a leader in Africa’s budding camel milk industry. “My dream is to see my business among the top dairy producers in Africa, offering high-quality products to customers across the continent. I also want more women to achieve financial independence, ensuring security for themselves and their families while reducing unemployment in Niger,” she shares.