By Ayomide Otitoju
Dangote Industries Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to driving the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria through strategic partnerships with key economic stakeholders.
Speaking during the Dangote Special Day at the 2025 Nasarawa Trade Fair in Lafia, Senior Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, said the conglomerate’s collaboration with the Nasarawa State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) will promote small business development and increase awareness.
Represented by Hon. Dr. Shuaibu Abdullahi, the company’s National Assembly Liaison Lead, Wali-Abdurrahman revealed that the Aliko Dangote Foundation, in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BoI), has set up a ₦5 billion fund to support MSMEs nationwide. The initiative aims to create over one million direct jobs through support for entrepreneurs involved in manufacturing, agro-processing, and the sale of locally made products.
Beneficiaries of the programme include cassava processors, aluminum artisans, poultry farmers, market traders, cattle rearers, and other artisan groups. She added that the Group had also facilitated electrification support for Jakura Marble Industry Ltd (JMIL) as part of its broader support for small businesses.
Wali-Abdurrahman highlighted that Dangote Fertiliser Limited has launched a comprehensive farmer training programme, targeting over one million farmers across Nigeria. The training includes soil sample analysis, field demonstrations, and education on best practices in fertiliser application to boost crop yields and ensure sustainable farming.
“This programme is a key part of our agricultural extension services and underscores our commitment to food security, economic empowerment, and rural development,” she said.
The company’s support aligns with the trade fair’s theme, “Fostering Economic Development Through Mineral and Agricultural Cottage Industrialization.”
According to her, the Group’s participation in trade fairs nationwide serves as a platform to support MSMEs by enabling them to showcase their products, network with industry stakeholders, and access new markets. She called on both public and private sectors to prioritize MSME development as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s industrialization agenda.
Representatives from Dangote’s various Strategic Business Units at the fair included Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited, Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON), and Dangote Cement Plc.
Also present at the event were Nasarawa State’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, Khadija Oshafu Nuhu; Regional Manager, Middlebelt, Dangote Fertiliser, Wilson Kolawole; and State Liaison Officer, Abdulrazak Sambajo.
