Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, Senior Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, has said that Dangote Industries Limited is working closely with key economic stakeholders to support the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Dangote Special Day during the 2025 Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition in Lafia, she explained that the company’s participation and its partnership with the Nasarawa State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) would help create awareness and boost small business growth.
Represented by Hon. Dr. Shuaibu Abdullahi, who is the company’s National Assembly Liaison Lead, she said Dangote Group is committed to working with both government and private sector players to develop MSMEs.
She said: “I am pleased to inform you that in alignment with theme of this year’s Trade Fair, the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bank of Industry (BoI) had entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and established a N5 billion fund dedicated to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria.
“This initiative aimed 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.”
She also stated that the MoU had already supported different micro-enterprises, including cassava processors, aluminum artisans, poultry farmers, calabash carvers, small traders, cattle rearers, vegetable sellers, market women, and artisan groups.
As part of its ongoing support for MSMEs, she said Dangote Group had also helped Jakura Marble Industry Ltd (JMIL) with electrification.
She added that Dangote Fertiliser Limited had launched a major training programme for over one million farmers in Nigeria to support agriculture and job creation.
“This programme, integral to our agricultural extension services, encompasses Spot Demonstrations, Result Demonstrations, Field Demonstrations, and Soil Sample Collections.
“The training is designed to educate farmers on best practices in fertiliser application, aiming to enhance crop yields and promote sustainable farming techniques. By providing hands-on demonstrations and soil analysis, we strive to empower farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve their productivity and livelihoods.
“This programme shows our dedication to fostering agricultural development and economic growth in Nigeria.”
She noted that the company’s contributions to “Fostering Economic Development Through Mineral and Agricultural Cottage Industrialization” are extensive.
“May I also inform this esteemed audience that our sponsorship of numerous Trade Fairs—including this one organized by the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI)—is a key component of our commitment to fostering the growth of trade and small businesses across Nigeria.
“By supporting this Trade Fair, we aim to provide micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with platforms to showcase their products, network with potential partners, and access new markets, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic development.
“As a company, we are therefore joining NASSI and NACCIMA to call on the public and private sector stakeholders to prioritize MSMES in Nigeria. This is key to our industrialization effort in Nigeria.”
She also mentioned that several Strategic Business Units from Dangote Group are participating in the Trade Fair. These include Dangote Fertiliser Limited (DFL), Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited (DPAN), Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), Dangote Salt (NASCON), and Dangote Cement Plc.
