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Community Enterprise
Connecting rural excellence—from bamboo crafts to organic soap—to national and global markets through community-owned enterprise.
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People & Possibility
We ignite leadership and confidence through skills training, sports, and creative platforms designed for rural youth.
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Infrastructure & Impact
Building the innovation hubs and sustainable farm systems that turn rural communities into centers of global relevance.
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Durian hanging element (1)
Who we are

Designing the Future of Rural Nigeria

Durian is building a new rural economy. We blend enterprise, culture, and innovation to empower women and youth to lead from within their own communities.
Rural is cool. And the future is being built here.
Read Our Story
Years of Building New Rural Realities

We believe that rural communities are not poor in potential; they are rich in land, culture, indigenous knowledge, and human creativity. What is missing are the frameworks that can channel these assets into sustainable livelihoods.

Our 4 Pillars of Transformation

We don’t just launch campaigns; we architect long-term rural infrastructure.

Prisca, one of the brilliant minds from our fashion unit, made this travel bag herself using tot
Sustainable Economic Empowerment

Our Economic Empowerment programs focus on both skills development and enterprise growth, enabling participants to create and sustain income-generating activities.

Mindset Transformation

The most powerful change lies in transforming how “rural” is perceived, both by rural dwellers themselves and the outside world. We are redefining “Rural”.

Behind every meal, there’s a woman’s strength, dedication, and hard work. They are leading the f (2)
Agricultural Transformation

Agriculture remains the backbone of rural livelihoods. We focus on regenerative agricultural practices and upskilling farmers 

The Lifecycle of Cassava (1)
Knowledge & Learning

Durian recognizes that education and digital literacy are essential to break intergenerational cycles of poverty.  We are bridging this gap.

The Hubs - Centers of Innovation

Systems Not Projects

The Crafts Village

Our hub for the circular economy. This is where Waste becomes Wealth across our four departments: Skin Care, Garri, Textile, and Bamboo.

Visit Village
Systems Not Projects

The Farm Village

A massive expanse for smart-farming education and industrial-scale food production. Reducing malnutrition and creating wealth for young people.

Tour the Farm

Impact by the Numbers

Lives Engineered
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Rural Women Empowered
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Acres Cultivated
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Communities
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Open Opportunities & Programs

Explore our ongoing and open opportunities. 

Rural Green Fellowship
A hands-on fellowship for young people building climate-resilient farming and rural innovation systems.
→ Apply for the Fellowship
Rural is Cool Football Tournament
A statewide tournament for public secondary schools in rural communities — building teamwork, visibility, and opportunity.
→ Register Your School
Itaja Initiative
Structured support for rural women — combining financial intelligence, cooperative growth, and revolving capital access.
→ Join the Program
Rural is Cool Conference
A convening of youth, practitioners, and community leaders designing development solutions from the ground up.
→ Register to Attend
Rural Rights Network
A network empowering rural men and women to shape conversations around justice, land, safety, and dignity.
→ Join the Network
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Interesting and very factual stories on how rural development is being modeled in Africa delivered directly to your email, nothing more. 

Latest from the Hinterlands

Read our latest news, press features and reports

Testimonial

Stakeholders Feedbacks

Durian community came into Imafon and transformed our community exposing our women and youths to viable opportunities year in year out. We are always happy to support all their programs
HRH Oba Samuel O
HRH Oba Samuel OKing of Imafon
We are proud of the the strides Durian foundation has taken so far. The necessary expansions that created room for more beneficiaries and more impactful outcomes show they are always designing programs with people at the heart of it all.
Madam Jo
Madam JoAshoka Africa
I moved from the city back to this town because of economic hardship. I thought life would only get worse until I heard about the women empowerment training by Durian foundation. Now, not only am I very skilled at African soap making, I also live on a decent salary that caters to the needs of my family aside from this, I am a beneficiary of the adult education program here where I learn how to read and write. Durian Foundation is hope to me and many other women in this community.
Mama Taiyelolu
Mama TaiyeloluDurian Staff