Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading provider of innovative and sustainable building solutions, has unveiled the 2025 edition of its flagship female empowerment initiative, BuildHer by Lafarge. 

The company said the project is aimed at equipping women with technical and entrepreneurial skills for sustainable careers in construction.

The initiative, which focuses on tiling and block-laying training for women from low-income communities, will be implemented across Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River States in partnership with state government agencies.

A total of 100 women are expected to benefit from this year’s programme.

According to the company, participants will undergo an intensive eight-week training combining hands-on practice with Lafarge’s Supafix and SupaSet products, entrepreneurship development, mentoring, and financial literacy classes.

To ensure inclusivity, the programme also provides transportation, feeding, and a creche service for nursing mothers, enabling participants to focus fully on their training.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa, said the company remains committed to breaking barriers for women in male-dominated fields.

“At Lafarge Africa, we are keen on sustainable female empowerment. With our female tilers and block-laying training programme, we are opening doors for women to participate meaningfully in the construction industry while improving their economic independence,” he said.

Viola Graham-Douglas, Director of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, highlighted the programme’s impact since its inception.

“Since 2022, we have trained over 60 women. This year’s edition is bigger and better, reflecting a balance between technical training and broader empowerment.

“The programme will culminate in a graduation ceremony where participants will receive certificates endorsed by Lafarge Africa, technical institutions, and trade associations,” she explained.

Graduates of the programme will also be inducted into the Block Makers and Tilers Association of Nigeria, giving them formal professional recognition and access to job opportunities.

To ensure sustainability, according to the management, each graduate will receive start-up tools, while the top 10 participants will earn special awards for outstanding performance.

Lafarge further announced plans to launch a BuildHer Alumni Network for continued mentorship, collaboration, and visibility, alongside a Train the Trainers initiative to scale the programme’s impact across more communities in the future.

The 2025 edition is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs.