The Dangote Group and the Kano State Government are deepening their partnership to advance industrial growth and expand social development initiatives across the state. This renewed collaboration comes as large numbers of visitors flock to the Dangote pavilion at the 46th Kano International Trade Fair, eager to engage with the company’s wide range of innovative products and projects.
Kano State Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Shehu Sagagi, said in a statement issued by the Dangote Group on Sunday that the state is reinforcing long-standing ties with the conglomerate while exploring additional areas of cooperation. According to him, aligning government policies with private sector initiatives such as those of the Dangote Group will help to strengthen Kano’s industrial base and expand trade opportunities for local businesses.
Sagagi praised the Dangote Group for its consistent support toward Nigeria’s economic development and lauded the company’s key sponsorship role in the 2025 Kano International Trade Fair. He added that the administration of Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf has created a business-friendly environment that encourages investments and partnerships expected to boost economic activities in the state.
A statement from the Dangote Group revealed that one major project under its collaboration with the Kano State Government is the development of a world-class rice milling facility. The plant is expected to significantly boost local rice production, improve value addition, and provide modern processing capabilities that meet global standards. This initiative forms part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Beyond industrial projects, the statement highlighted several social programmes jointly implemented with the state government, primarily through the Aliko Dangote Foundation. These initiatives are aimed at improving living standards in Kano by focusing on education, health, nutrition, and poverty alleviation.
In the area of food security, the foundation has executed large-scale interventions for vulnerable households. During the 2024/2025 period, it distributed 120,000 bags of rice and more than 10,000 iftar meal packs during Ramadan, providing vital nutritional support to thousands of low-income families. The foundation has also worked with the state government to combat child malnutrition by supplying Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food for children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition, while also funding public education campaigns to improve community health awareness.
The group’s empowerment initiatives also remain a strong focus. Through micro-grant programmes targeted at women and disadvantaged groups, the foundation has provided financial assistance enabling beneficiaries to start or expand small-scale businesses, thereby promoting economic independence and reducing poverty in the state.
Speaking at the fair, the President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Hassan Darma, said about 100 organisations and over 1,000 exhibitors from within and outside Nigeria are expected to participate in this year’s fair. He noted that the 2025 edition is particularly significant due to upgrades and expansions at the venue. Darma commended Dangote Group for its long-standing support and expressed the chamber’s desire to partner with the conglomerate on SME development, backward integration, and industrial skills transfer.
Meanwhile, Dangote Fertiliser Limited recently won the top award for Agricultural Input at the 17th National Agricultural Show in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, Kabiru Ibrahim, acknowledged the company as a major contributor to the growth of agricultural inputs in the country.
