Lafarge Africa Trains 100 Women in Construction Skills Through BuildHer Initiative
Lafarge Africa Plc has successfully trained and graduated 100 women under its BuildHer 2025 programme, an initiative designed to equip women with practical construction skills such as tiling and block laying.
The BuildHer initiative, part of Lafarge Africa’s corporate social responsibility efforts, aims to bridge the gender gap in Nigeria’s construction industry an area traditionally dominated by men. Beyond technical training, the programme also focuses on entrepreneurship and financial literacy, enabling participants to build sustainable careers and achieve economic independence.
This year’s edition represents a major expansion compared to the previous cohort of 40 participants. The 100 women underwent an intensive eight-week hands-on training programme, where they gained real-world experience using Lafarge’s building solutions, including Supafix and Supaset.
The training was implemented across Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River states through collaborations with key government institutions such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs. This partnership highlights the importance of public-private collaboration in tackling unemployment and closing skills gaps among women.
At the graduation ceremony, Gabriel Pollyn, Head of Sustainability and Sponsorships at Lafarge Africa, emphasized that empowering women is essential for building inclusive communities and driving economic growth. He noted that the programme not only provides technical expertise but also builds confidence and opens long-term opportunities for participants.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote gender inclusion in skilled trades while addressing youth unemployment. By equipping women with vocational skills, BuildHer is helping to develop a new generation of female artisans and entrepreneurs who can actively contribute to Nigeria’s construction sector.
Government representatives present at the event commended the programme for advancing economic inclusion. They noted that initiatives like BuildHer are creating new career pathways for women in industries where they have historically been underrepresented.
Many of the graduates described the training as life-changing, stating that it has improved their confidence and provided them with the skills needed to pursue careers in construction and related fields.
In addition to the training, participants were enrolled in the Block Makers and Tilers Association of Nigeria, giving them access to a professional network for career growth. Each graduate also received certificates and essential tools to support their immediate entry into the workforce.
The BuildHer initiative aligns with broader development goals focused on women empowerment, skills acquisition, and economic inclusion. For Nigeria’s MSME sector, programmes like this play a crucial role in developing skilled labor, reducing unemployment, and stimulating grassroots economic development.
As Nigeria continues to address unemployment and skills shortages, Lafarge Africa’s BuildHer programme stands out as a practical model for empowering women, strengthening industries, and driving sustainable economic growth.
