In a commitment Dangote Industries Limited is actively partnering with key stakeholders to accelerate the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria. At the 2025 Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition in Lafia, Senior Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, emphasised the company’s commitment to supporting small businesses through collaborative initiatives.
Represented by Shuaibu Abdullahi, Dangote’s National Assembly Liaison Lead, Wali-Abdurrahman said, “Dangote Industries Limited is partnering critical stakeholders in the economy to grow MSMEs across Nigeria. Our participation in this trade fair and partnership with the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, will help create awareness and scale up small businesses.”
She highlighted a significant N5 billion fund established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bank of Industry (BoI), stating, “This initiative aims to create at least one million direct jobs by providing financial support to entrepreneurs engaged in manufacturing, agro-processing, and the merchandising of goods made wholly in Nigeria. The MoU benefits micro-enterprises such as cassava processors, aluminium artisans, poultry farmers, calabash carving groups, small traders, cattle rearers, vegetable sellers, market women and artisan groups.”
Beyond financial aid, Dangote Industries supports MSMEs through infrastructure and capacity-building projects. “For instance, we have supported Jakura Marble Industry Ltd (JMIL) in electrification. Also, Dangote Fertiliser Limited has initiated a comprehensive training programme targeting over one million farmers across the country,” said Wali-Abdurrahman.
Explaining the agricultural training, she further noted, “This programme encompasses Spot Demonstrations, Result Demonstrations, Field Demonstrations, and Soil Sample Collections. It is designed to educate farmers on best practices in fertiliser application to enhance crop yields and promote sustainable farming. By providing hands-on demonstrations and soil analysis, we empower farmers to improve their productivity and livelihoods.”
Wali-Abdurrahman further emphasised Dangote’s commitment to broader economic development, saying, “Our sponsorship of numerous trade fairs including this one organised by NASSI is a key part of our commitment to fostering the growth of trade and small businesses across Nigeria. We aim to provide MSMEs with platforms to showcase their products, network with potential partners and access new markets, thereby contributing to national economic development.”
She concluded by calling on stakeholders to prioritise MSMEs by stating, “We join NASSI and NACCIMA in urging public and private sector stakeholders to prioritise MSMEs in Nigeria. This is vital to the country’s industrialisation efforts.” The Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units participating in these initiatives include Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited, Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON) and Dangote Cement Plc.
