Nigeria’s sachet economy: little big problems

“If you want to know what is really selling in Nigeria, look in the gutter by the road”.

I’ve heard many people in the “industry” make this statement—from those in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) to packaging manufacturers, and also people in the recycling business. 

But the waste on the streets of Nigeria won’t be easily recognisable by consumers in developed countries. It’s not tins of Milo hot chocolate or 1-litre packs of liquid milk. You also won’t find bottles of whiskey or Ribena cordial. 

What you find instead are the sachet equivalents of these goods. 

You see, there are two worlds in Nigeria. One where the rich reside, and another with the poor. Of course, all countries have this split, but the difference between these worlds are stark in developing countries. 

For example, in the West, both the rich and poor use similar public transport. They also buy groceries from