In a significant boost to grassroots economic development and women empowerment, Dangote Cement Plc has awarded cash grants to women entrepreneurs across its host communities in Benue State. The initiative aims to enhance business activities and deepen economic opportunities for female business owners in the region, marking a notable step in supporting sustainable development.
The grant scheme, officially launched in Gboko, Benue State, provides selected women entrepreneurs with ₦100,000 each to grow their businesses. Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, Group Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, explained the rationale behind the programme, emphasizing its focus on empowering women to scale their enterprises by investing in inventory, upgrading equipment, and meeting other specific business needs.
“Supporting women entrepreneurs is key to community transformation. When women succeed, they invest in their families’ education, health, and overall welfare, creating a ripple effect that breaks the cycle of poverty,” Olayiwola stated during the ceremony. The grants are structured as non-repayable funds, providing immediate financial relief and boosting business sustainability without the pressure of debt repayment.
The selection of beneficiaries was overseen by traditional leaders from Quarry, Tse-Kucha, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers—communities that host the Dangote Cement operations—as well as the Dangote Community Consultative Committee. This collaborative approach ensures that the grants reach deserving entrepreneurs who can maximize the benefits within their local economies.
This empowerment programme follows Dangote Cement’s earlier commitment to education, where bursary payments to students from host communities were increased by over 100 percent. Together, these initiatives reflect Dangote Cement’s holistic approach to corporate social responsibility—addressing both education and entrepreneurship as pillars for community advancement.
Munusamy Murugan, Acting Plant Director, represented by Tavershima Soom at the event, affirmed that the empowerment initiative would be an annual programme. “We plan to extend similar support to other critical sectors such as farming and youth empowerment to further stimulate socio-economic growth,” Murugan said.
Johnson Kor, Head of Social Performance at the Gboko Plant, urged community representatives to serve as ambassadors for Dangote Cement’s development efforts, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth in its host communities.
Among the beneficiaries, Ruth Tser, who runs a cassava farming business, expressed gratitude for the support, pledging to invest the funds into expanding her agricultural operations. She and other recipients lauded the company for its timely intervention, highlighting the importance of financial support in overcoming business challenges.
This women empowerment initiative aligns with national efforts to bolster female entrepreneurship, which remains a critical driver for Nigeria’s economic diversification and poverty alleviation. With the Central Bank of Nigeria and government agencies pushing for increased access to finance for women-owned businesses, Dangote Cement’s private-sector intervention complements these efforts by providing direct capital to entrepreneurs.
Experts note that women-led businesses tend to reinvest a significant portion of their earnings into their families and communities, thus enhancing socio-economic outcomes at multiple levels. By offering grants rather than loans, Dangote Cement reduces the financial risks these entrepreneurs face, encouraging more sustainable growth.
Moreover, the empowerment programme helps reduce gender disparities in access to business capital—a longstanding barrier in many Nigerian communities. It also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Dangote Cement Plc’s cash grant initiative in Benue State demonstrates the company’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth and uplifting women entrepreneurs. By targeting grassroots businesses with practical financial support, the programme sets a model for private sector involvement in community development and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
As these women utilize the funds to expand their businesses, the ripple effects are expected to stimulate local economies, generate jobs, and contribute to the long-term socio-economic stability of the host communities.