Saturday March 15, 2025
Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar (right), a leading figure in Niger’s camel dairy industry, inspects her herd alongside a business associate. Managing over 200 camels, she has built a thriving dairy enterprise in a male-dominated industry, transforming camel milk into a profitable commodity. CREDIT/ Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar
Mogadishu (HOL) — In Niger, where livestock farming sustains nearly nine out of ten workers, women remain the backbone of the industry—yet their contributions are often overlooked. Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar is changing that. She has built a thriving business from an unlikely source—camel milk—transforming what was once a traditionally shared product into a high-demand commodity that challenges cultural norms and strengthens the local economy.
Her company produces between 160 and 200 litres of camel milk daily, meeting the growing demand for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. Managing a herd of more than 200 camels, she has navigated the challenges of a male-dominated industry, transforming what was once a family trade into a lucrative and expanding enterprise.
Her journey began in 2011 with just 30 camels inherited from her family. At the time, few in Niger saw camel milk as a commercial product. Milk was shared, not sold, and women rarely owned large herds. But Aboubacar saw potential in what others overlooked.
"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," she said.From a small operation, Habsatou Camel Milk has grown into a key player in Niger's dairy sector, producing fresh camel milk alongside cheese and wagashi, a local dairy delicacy.
Aboubacar's success did not come easily. When she first proposed selling camel milk, she met resistance—not just from the market but from her own family.
"It was unheard of. Selling camel milk was frowned upon. My father initially opposed it, but later, he became my biggest supporter," she recalled.
Beyond cultural taboos, Aboubacar faced a maze of logistical and economic hurdles that threatened to stall her ambition. Land for grazing was scarce, making it challenging to expand her herd. Financing was unreliable, with few institutions willing to invest in a woman-led camel dairy business. Security remained a constant concern, as Niger's pastoral regions were increasingly vulnerable to conflict and instability. And even as demand for camel milk grew, the market lacked regulation, leaving producers without quality control measures or safety standards to protect their products and livelihoods.
Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar (right), a leading figure in Niger’s camel dairy industry, inspects her herd alongside a business associate. Managing over 200 camels, she has built a thriving dairy enterprise in a male-dominated industry, transforming camel milk into a profitable commodity.
"There is no formal registration system for camel milk production in Niger. Without structure, it is difficult to grow the industry, protect our products, and ensure food safety," she said.
Her two farms, located 35 km and 60 km from Niamey, also present challenges. She must frequently travel long distances to oversee operations, working in areas where women entrepreneurs are rare.
Along with building a business, Aboubacar is helping women gain financial independence. She trains female farmers in dairy hygiene, processing, and business skills, showing them a path beyond traditional roles in tailoring or market stalls.
"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 said.
In Niger, women play a major role in livestock farming, particularly in raising goats, sheep, and poultry. Yet, they remain underrepresented in land ownership, investment opportunities, and decision-making in the sector.
"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," she said.
Aboubacar's ambitions do not stop at local markets. She envisions scaling her company to become one of Africa's leading camel milk producers, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and strengthening Niger's economy.
"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 said.
- With files from the BBC Somali Service
Freshly packaged camel milk yogurt produced by Habsatou Camel Milk, a Niger-based dairy company run by entrepreneur Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar. The company produces up to 200 liters of camel milk daily, supplying high-demand dairy products such as yogurt and cheese to local and regional markets. CREDIT/ Wouro Habsatou Aboubacar