The Dangote Group and the Government of Kano State are strengthening relationships to foster business activities and social programmes in the state. This comes as participants stream into the company’s pavilion at the 46th edition of the Kano International Trade Fair, eager to explore the array of innovative products on display.
Kano State Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Shehu Sagagi, in a statement from Dangote Group on Sunday, told newsmen at the fair that the state was strengthening existing partnerships with the Dangote Group and exploring new options.
He said, “The partnership with Dangote Group will strengthen Kano’s industrial and trade capacity. By linking government policies with private sector initiatives, we are creating opportunities for businesses to grow in Kano State.”
He commended the company for its commitment to the economic development of Nigeria, and particularly for supporting the Kano Trade Fair. He said the Kano Government, led by Abba Kabiru Yusuf, has created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. Dangote Group is one of the major sponsors of the 2025 Kano International Trade Fair.
The statement from the company confirmed that a key component of its ongoing collaboration with the Kano State Government is the development of a world-class rice milling plant in the state. The statement said the project is designed to boost local rice production, enhance value addition, and provide modern processing capabilities that meet both national and international standards.
In the area of social programmes, the company said it has several areas of collaboration with the state government. It said the Dangote Group, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, continues to demonstrate its commitment to the people of Kano State through a series of impactful social programmes aimed at improving livelihoods, education, health, and nutrition across the state.
The statement said, “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. 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 Aliko Dangote Foundation has also addressed child malnutrition in collaboration with the Kano State Government through targeted nutrition programmes. As part of this initiative, the Group has provided Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food to treat children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition, while also supporting awareness campaigns to improve community health outcomes.
“Empowerment and poverty-alleviation remain a central focus of the Group’s engagement in Kano. Through micro-grant programmes, women and vulnerable groups have received financial support to establish or expand small-scale businesses.”
President of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Hassan Darma, told newsmen that, “We are expecting around 100 organisations, and over 1,000 exhibitors from Nigeria and abroad.”
He said this year’s trade fair is unique due to improvements, expansion, and new structures at the fair site. “We have valued a long-standing relationship with Dangote Group. It is our major sponsor. In this year’s fair, we want to partner with the Dangote Group on SME development, backward integration, and industrial skills transfer,” Darma said.
Meanwhile, Dangote Fertiliser Limited has clinched the topmost award for Agricultural Input at the just concluded 17th National Agricultural Show in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, Kabiru Ibrahim, said the Dangote Group is a major contributor to the development of agricultural input in Nigeria.
