Lafarge Africa Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusion in the construction industry with the launch of its 2025 Female Tilers and Block Laying Training. The initiative, themed “BuildHer by Lafarge,” is aimed at equipping women from low-income communities in Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River states with technical, entrepreneurial, and financial skills to build sustainable livelihoods in a sector that is traditionally male-dominated.
The 2025 edition of the programme is being implemented in partnership with state government agencies. According to Lafarge Africa, 100 women will benefit from the training across the three states. In Lagos, the initiative is supported by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, led by Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende, alongside the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, under the leadership of Executive Secretary Feyisayo Alayande.
In Ogun State, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, headed by Commissioner Adijat Motunrayo Adeleye-Oladapo, is providing support, while in Cross River State, the programme is delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, led by Commissioner Edema Irom.
The training, which spans eight weeks, combines practical lessons with entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Participants will gain hands-on experience in tiling and block-laying using Lafarge Africa’s Supafix and SupaSet products. In addition to technical skills, the programme provides mentoring and business development guidance to help women build careers and create income streams in the construction sector.
Lafarge Africa noted that the training was carefully designed to address challenges faced by women aged 20 to 45 in low-income communities. To ensure inclusivity, the programme provides transportation, feeding, and access to a creche service for nursing mothers with children under 18 months. This allows participants to fully engage in the training without neglecting family responsibilities.
Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director and CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, said: “At Lafarge Africa, we are keen on sustainable female empowerment. With our female tilers and block-laying training program, we are opening doors for women to participate meaningfully in the construction industry while improving their economic independence. We are proud to play a role in breaking barriers, reducing poverty, and creating opportunities for women to contribute to the development of their families, their communities, and our nation.”
