In a significant move to uplift grassroots entrepreneurship, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has disbursed cash grants to thousands of women entrepreneurs in Benue State, aimed at strengthening small-scale businesses and promoting economic self-reliance.
The initiative, part of the Foundation’s broader micro-grant programme, saw women from across Benue’s 23 local government areas receive financial support to grow or start their ventures. Each beneficiary received a cash grant of ₦10,000, with no repayment obligation.
Speaking during the launch event in Makurdi, the Managing Director and CEO of the Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the initiative was designed to target vulnerable women who form the backbone of Nigeria’s informal economy.
“Women are central to household and community wellbeing,” Youssoufou said. “Empowering them with capital is not just a social intervention, it’s a strategy for sustainable development.”
The Benue rollout is part of a nationwide programme expected to reach over 1 million women across Nigeria. So far, beneficiaries in more than 20 states have received support.
Local officials and community leaders praised the gesture, describing it as timely, especially amid rising inflation and declining purchasing power. “This intervention will go a long way in supporting women who are striving daily to make ends meet,” said Benue State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs.
Several beneficiaries shared stories of how the funds would help scale their businesses, ranging from petty trading to farming and food processing.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and chairman of the Foundation, has long championed philanthropy through initiatives targeting health, education, and economic inclusion, particularly for underserved populations.
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