Lafarge Africa Plc has launched the 2025 edition of its women-focused inclusion programme, BuildHer, aimed at empowering women in low-income communities with technical and entrepreneurial skills for careers in the construction industry.
The initiative, themed BuildHer by Lafarge, is centred on training women in tiling and block laying two trades traditionally dominated by men through an intensive eight-week programme. Participants from Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River States will receive hands-on technical training using Lafarge’s Supafix and SupaSet products, along with business development, financial literacy, and mentorship sessions to help them start and sustain small-scale enterprises in construction.
The company said the programme is part of its broader strategy to improve women’s economic independence and promote gender inclusion in the sector. Since BuildHer’s launch in 2022, over 60 women have been trained, with many already applying their new skills to earn income, support their families, and build small businesses. The 2025 edition, described as the largest so far, will train 100 women across the three states.
Lafarge said participants will graduate with certificates endorsed by the company and accredited technical institutions, and will be integrated into the Block Makers and Tilers Association of Nigeria, giving them formal recognition and access to job opportunities. Each graduate will also receive start-up tools to kickstart their businesses, while the top ten performers will receive additional support.
To ensure the programme’s long-term impact, Lafarge will launch a BuildHer Alumni Network to provide ongoing mentorship, visibility, and collaboration opportunities. A Train the Trainers component will also be introduced, enabling previous participants to pass on their knowledge and expand the initiative’s reach to more communities.
The 2025 BuildHer edition is being delivered in collaboration with key state agencies. In Lagos, the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund are partners; in Ogun, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is supporting the programme; while in Cross River, it is being implemented with the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by women aged 20 to 45 in low-income areas, Lafarge has incorporated support systems such as transportation, feeding, and crèche services for nursing mothers to ensure full participation.
For small businesses and local economies, the initiative offers more than just skill development. By equipping women with practical trade skills and business knowledge, BuildHer opens doors for new micro and small enterprises in construction, expands the pool of skilled labour, and fosters inclusive growth in a sector that remains central to infrastructure and housing development across Nigeria.
