Dangote Cement Targets Grassroots Growth, Empowers 15 Kogi Entrepreneurs

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

For 15 small business owners in Kogi State, the path to business growth has received a boost from Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, through an empowerment initiative designed to strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship and improve local economic opportunities.

The company has also extended its intervention beyond business development, commissioning a 3.6kW solar inverter system in Oyo Community, Lokoja Local Government Area, to support electricity supply for community water infrastructure.

The two initiatives, unveiled during Dangote Cement’s 2026 Sustainability Week, reflect an approach to community development that combines economic empowerment with access to essential services.

Under its Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) empowerment programme, 15 local entrepreneurs received plaques of recognition after participating in capacity-building sessions designed to improve their business operations.

The training covered financial management, customer service, business expansion and sustainable business practices.

Dangote Cement said the programme was intended to equip local entrepreneurs with practical knowledge to improve productivity, strengthen their businesses and increase their contributions to employment generation and household incomes.

The company believes that strengthening small businesses at the community level can create wider economic benefits by supporting livelihoods and expanding opportunities for residents.

In Oyo Community, the company’s intervention addressed another critical need: reliable electricity for water supply.

The newly commissioned 3.6kW solar inverter system is expected to provide renewable power for the community’s water infrastructure, reduce dependence on conventional energy sources and improve the reliability of water services.

The project also introduces a cleaner energy solution into the community, in line with efforts to promote environmentally sustainable development.

The initiatives formed part of activities marking the company’s 2026 Sustainability Week, which brought together employees, sustainability champions, community members and entrepreneurs.

According to the company, the annual programme provides an opportunity to strengthen engagement with host communities and identify practical ways of addressing their development needs.

Dangote Cement reiterated that its sustainability commitments extend beyond manufacturing to improving livelihoods, supporting local enterprises and investing in projects that directly benefit communities around its operations.

With the latest interventions, the Obajana Plant has placed two grassroots development priorities in focus: helping local businesses become stronger and improving access to essential community infrastructure.