Kano, Dangote Group Deepen Partnership
By Patience Ikpeme
The Dangote Group and the Government of Kano State are committed to deepening their relationship to boost business activities and social upliftment programmes within the state.
This declaration comes as the company draws significant attention from participants at its pavilion during the 46th Kano International Trade Fair.
Kano State Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Shehu Wada Sagagi, told newsmen at the Fair that the state is working to reinforce existing collaborations with the Dangote Group while simultaneously exploring new avenues for cooperation.
“The partnership with Dangote Group will strengthen Kano’s industrial and trade capacity,” Sagagi said. “By linking government policies with private sector initiatives, we are creating opportunities for businesses to grow in Kano State.”
The Commissioner praised the company for its sustained commitment to Nigeria’s economic development and its crucial support for the Kano Trade Fair, of which the Dangote Group is a major sponsor. He affirmed that the Kano Government, led by Abba Kabiru Yusuf, has created a favourable environment for businesses to flourish.
A statement from the Dangote Group confirmed that a vital component of its continuing collaboration with the Kano State Government is the development of a world-class rice milling plant in the state. The project is specifically designed to increase local rice production, enhance value addition, and provide modern processing capabilities that comply with both national and international quality standards.
In the area of social impact, the company maintains several joint initiatives with the state government, particularly through the Aliko Dangote Foundation. The Foundation, the statement noted, continues to show its dedication to the people of Kano State through impactful social programmes aimed at improving livelihoods, education, health, and nutrition.
The statement detailed the Foundation’s efforts in food security and nutrition: “In the area of food security and nutrition, Aliko Dangote Foundation has implemented large-scale interventions, distributing thousands of rice bags and family food packs to vulnerable residents of Kano.”
It further specified the scale of the relief effort: “During the 2024/2025 period alone, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, distributed 120,000 bags of rice and over 10,000 iftar meals during Ramadan. These interventions have provided critical relief to households and ensured access to basic nutrition for the most disadvantaged.”
The Foundation has also worked with the Kano State Government to combat child malnutrition through targeted nutrition programmes, including the provision of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to treat children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition, alongside supporting awareness campaigns.
The Group’s engagement in Kano also has a strong focus on empowerment and poverty alleviation. The statement confirmed: “Through micro-grant programmes, women and vulnerable groups have received financial support to establish or expand small-scale businesses.”
In the education sector, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has made substantial contributions to higher education infrastructure. The Foundation funded a modern Business School facility at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), which includes lecture theatres, offices, and library facilities. Similar support, the statement added, was extended to Kano State University of Science & Technology, Wudil, with investments covering dormitory upgrades and power infrastructure to enhance the student learning experience.
The Group has also been active in healthcare support, contributing to the establishment of a state-of-the-art Surgical and Diagnostic Centre at Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.
The company also announced that, in response to evolving market demand, it will be unveiling new 100-gram and 25-kilogram bags on its Special Day at the Trade Fair on December 4, 2025.
Regional Director for Cement, Northwest, Mr. Dayo Laniyan, commented that the theme of the fair, ‘Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Growth’, aligns well with the company’s philosophy. “SMEs are the backbone of any economy and play significant role in enhancing growth and development, security and stability as other participants have pointed out,” he said.
Ambassador Hassan Usman Darma, President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), expressed gratitude for the sponsorship. “We have valued a long-standing relationship with Dangote Group. It is our major sponsor,” he told reporters. He added that the fair is expecting around 100 organisations and over 1,000 exhibitors.
“In this year’s fair, we want to partner with the Dangote Group on SME development, backward integration, and industrial skills transfer,” Amb. Darma concluded, noting that this year’s fair is unique due to improvements, expansion, and new structures at the site.
