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Dangote Cement Re-trains Truck Drivers for Operational Efficiency
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To boost operation efficiency, Dangote Cement Plc has organised a training session for its truck drivers at an event tagged 2025 Annual Drivers’ Retreat.
The training exercise for the drivers at its factory in Ibese, Ogun State, took place in Ilaro, with over 900 drivers in attendance. Another extensive re-training exercise for more drivers has been scheduled to take place in Obajana, Kogi State next week.
The Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Mr Arvind Pathak, said the cement giant was committed to training and constant retraining of its truck drivers for safe driving across Nigeria.
He emphasised that as a leading cement manufacturer with thousands of trucks in its fleet, safety on the road remains the company’s core mandate, noting that the essence of the yearly training is to remind the drivers of the core values of the brand and ensure that they are all committed to the Absolute Safer Road Policy of the Group.
Mr Pathak reaffirmed the company’s commitment to road safety, transparency, appropriate ethical conduct, and provision of detailed clarity on the comprehensive systems and procedures to mitigate against any incident along roads across the country.
According to him, Dangote Cement is a responsible organisation that consistently cooperates with the police and other relevant authorities in the investigation of reported incidents with support of all lawful processes, aimed at establishing the facts and routinely implement recommendations that strengthen public safety.
He explained that that every driver employed by Dangote Cement is required to undergo an extensive and rigorously structured recruitment process that includes Valid Driver’s license class G, background verification of both the driver and their guarantors, comprehensive medical evaluation, including vision screening (eye test), blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI), random blood sugar (RBS) test as well as drug and alcohol testing.
“Other recruitment screening covers usage within a three-month detection window, ensuring identifying any history of substance use before employment, completion of a two-week intensive training programme, which consists of twelve safety modules, practical driving assessments, and written examinations,” Mr Pathak stated.
“In the past two months alone, over 2,000 prospective drivers have successfully completed this process. Only those who meet all required standards were engaged and certified to operate any Dangote Group vehicles. Our commitment to safety extends beyond recruitment. All drivers undergo mandatory pre-trip medical assessments, conducted by licensed nurses and doctors.
“These include regular checks on blood pressure, vision, and overall fitness, ensuring drivers are physically and mentally fit to operate safely. To enforce compliance with our zero-tolerance policy on substance use, random drug tests are conducted routinely across our operations,” he disclosed.
Mr Pathak stated that Dangote Cement would continue to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other regulatory agencies to ensure that all training, compliance, and operational processes are not only standardised but also continuously improved, adding that these authorities are also actively involved in monitoring and evaluation of their safety practices.
He maintained that the cement miller remains fully committed to strengthening driver onboarding and training, enforcing strict safety and behavioural standards, applying punitive measures to curb errant driving, collaborating with government agencies, regulators, and communities to improve road safety, ensuring transparency, accountability, and compassion in everything they do.
Also addressing the assembled drivers, the Group Chief, Health Safety Social and Environment Officer & Sustainability function, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Dr James Adenuga stressed the importance of safety protocols and noted that the process was not just to train the drivers on the consequences but to continuously remind them of essentials of safety guides.
Mr Adenuga further stated that the regular training was to educate them in the language they understand and teach them how the training matters to them. He gave insights on the measures put in place to ensure the right individuals are recruited as drivers, saying some of the qualifications for recruiting the drivers included minimum of secondary school certificate, ability to speak English language with writing and reading skills, free of substance abuse, 2-5 years driving experience, possession of Class-G drivers’ license, guarantors and rigorous training among other measures.
“We also partner Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to train and prepare them for professional driving so as to equip and give them the basics and fundamentals to prevent them for reckless driving. We equally have a process to give recognition and award to those that profess conduct and good behaved drivers among their peers,” he added.
Taking the drivers through some requirements for safe driving, a Road Safety Expert, Mr Oje Ebhota explained that the choice of the topic for his paper centred on safety driving habits for accident-free journeys.
Mr Ebhota listed acts such as aggressiveness, impatient driving, use of phone while driving, taking alcoholic drink and disobedience to traffic signs, as negatives against the tenet of safe driving.
He advised the assembled drivers to be conscious of dangerous overtaking and to drive within the driving limit of 60km per hour so that they do not veer off the road and cause accidents that could affect negatively other road users.
According to him, “let me tell you all, drivers are the ambassadors of Dangote Group. Aside being ambassadors, you are also stakeholders that should be careful and consider other road users as important while on the road.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has announced plans to deploy 24 new coaches to boost the capacity of the Red Line rail by the third quarter of 2026.
In a Wednesday statement signed by its Head of Corporate Communications, LAMATA said it acknowledged recent reports and social media footage highlighting passenger discomfort on the Oyingbo-Agbado train service due to technical issues affecting the air conditioning system.
It noted that the plan to provide the 24 new coaches forms part of its long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort and service reliability.
“We sincerely apologise to our valued commuters for the heat and inconvenience experienced during their journey.
“As part of our long-term strategy to enhance capacity, comfort, and service reliability, LAMATA is pleased to announce the expected delivery and operationalisation of additional rolling stock by the third quarter of 2026.
“The new acquisition will comprise three train sets, each with eight coaches, bringing a total of 24 additional coaches to strengthen the existing fleet and improve passenger experience across the Red Line corridor,” the organisation stated.
The statement further revealed that the agency has deployed a technical team to diagnose and resolve the cooling system’s failure to return affected coaches to optimal operating conditions.
“In the immediate term, our technical and engineering teams have been deployed to diagnose and resolve the root cause of the cooling system failure. Restoration works are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to return the affected coaches to optimal operating condition as swiftly as possible.
“LAMATA remains firmly committed to delivering safe, efficient, and world-class rail services. We continue to take proactive measures to minimise technical disruptions and improve overall service quality.
“We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the public as we complete these essential repairs. The comfort, safety, and well-being of all passengers remain central to our operations,” the statement concluded.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A global mobility and urban services platform, inDrive, for the fourth consecutive year, has emerged as second in ride-hailing app downloads in the world.
In its latest report, a leading market intelligence firm, Sensor Tower, also disclosed that the company ranked fourth globally in the travel category for downloads, up from fifth place in 2024, reflecting growing engagement as it continues its transition into a super app.
It was also revealed that inDrive was ranked number one in the travel category by downloads in nine countries, with newcomers to the list including Peru and Pakistan, and placed among the top three most downloaded travel apps in 22 countries.
The chief executive of inDrive, Mr Arsen Tomsky, while commenting on these feats and others, said the continued rise underscores a broader shift toward multi-service platforms that deliver everyday value while remaining closely aligned with local market needs and user expectations.
“Maintaining our position as the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app for a fourth consecutive year is a powerful validation of the value inDrive delivers to its users every day.
“This recognition reflects the trust people place in our platform and the continued dedication of our global team.
“As inDrive evolves into a super app, we remain focused on our core principles of fairness, transparency, and user choice, while expanding access to services that make a meaningful difference in people’s daily lives,” Mr Tomsky said.
The latest report highlights that super app ecosystems are becoming a key growth driver for the ride-hailing industry, particularly in emerging markets where users are engaging more frequently and across a broader range of use cases.
The inDrive app – defined by its peer-to-peer pricing model that allows drivers and riders to agree on a fair price mutually – has now been downloaded over 400 million times since its launch. Available in 1,065 cities worldwide, it has facilitated more than 8 billion transactions.
The platform operates across 48 countries, driven by strong global adoption, including growing momentum across Africa and continued growth in Nigeria.
In 2025, inDrive accelerated its transition into a super app, expanding beyond its core ride-hailing offering to offer additional services, including intercity transportation, courier, grocery delivery, and financial services.
By expanding its offering and meeting more of its users’ daily needs, inDrive is driving deeper and more frequent user engagement – an approach that underpins its continued global momentum.
Technology under the hood, including AI and advanced analytics, plays a significant role in supporting this evolution by enabling greater personalization and more seamless user experiences.
From using machine learning to fix mapping gaps and deliver more accurate ETAs, to predictive analytics that anticipate user needs and personalize service offerings, these capabilities drive innovation. In contrast, ensuring users retain complete control over pricing decisions is consistent with inDrive’s commitment to fairness through choice.
By Dipo Olowookere
A funding package of up to $45 million has been secured by a mobility fintech firm, GoCab, to scale its ethical mobility financing platform across emerging markets.
A statement made available to Business Post disclosed that the funds comprise $15 million equity and $30 million debt, with the equity round co-led by E3 Capital and Janngo Capital. Others involved in the transactions were KawiSafi Ventures and Cur8 Capital.
GoCab operates a drive-to-own mobility fintech model that provides credit to gig-economy workers to buy their own car, bike and others in emerging markets.
It offers vehicles in drive-to-own programmes, mobile phone BNPL, motorbike financing for delivery couriers, and other value-added services through a single digital platform powered by proprietary technology.
With this financing support, GoCab plans to expand its operations and fleet, aiming for 10,000 active vehicles and $100 million in annual recurring revenue within the next 24 months.
Across five markets, GoCab now generates over $17 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) after just 18 months of operations and is on target to reach $50 million by end of 2026 and $100 million in 2027.
The company was established in 2024 by Mr Azamat Sultan and Mr Hendrick Ketchemen to address the limited access to ethical financing and vehicle ownership for gig-economy workers in Africa.
By combining mobility, technology, and inclusive finance, the organization enables drivers and delivery couriers to generate stable income while progressively gaining ownership of their vehicles.
By 2025, GoCab had taken a leading position in several African markets, supporting thousands of drivers and contributing to cleaner, more sustainable urban mobility systems.
“Transforming lives and improving the daily reality of thousands of families is the mission we have set for ourselves. We believe that capital can and must become a powerful force for transformation across Africa and emerging markets,” Mr Ketchemen said.
His counterpart, Mr Sultan, disclosed that, “For us, GoCab is about restoring dignity and opportunity through ownership.
“Across Africa, millions of people are locked out of both mobility and finance. We saw how capital was flowing everywhere except to the people who actually needed it to work.
“This round allows us to scale responsibly expanding access to fair, ethical financing while accelerating the transition to electric mobility, lowering carbon emissions, and building a more inclusive and sustainable future in close alignment with our investors.”
One of the investors, Mr Vladimir Dugin of E3 Capital, said, “The shortage of vehicles and the high cost of transportation remain two of the most pressing challenges across Africa. GoCab is addressing both head-on through a data- and technology-driven platform that expands access to mobility while improving efficiency at scale.
“Its rapidly growing EV fleet lowers costs for riders and drivers alike, while significantly reducing emissions. We are proud to support GoCab as it builds the leading pan-African mobility platform for the future.”
“We are proud to lead GoCab’s $15 million equity round, catalysing over $30 million in debt financing. We were impressed by their vision, their world-class team, and the quality of their execution.
“With this funding, GoCab now has the scale to deploy thousands of productive vehicles, each supporting a full-time income.
“With a clear operational roadmap toward 10,000 active assets and $100 million in recurring revenue, GoCab illustrates how ethical financing can translate into tens of thousands of decent jobs, household resilience, and sustainable growth at scale,” the chairman of Janngo Capital, Fatoumata Bâ, stated.
Also, a partner at KawiSafi Ventures, Mr Marcus Watson, said, “GoCab is building critical infrastructure for climate-smart mobility and the future of work in emerging markets. The combination of disciplined execution, strong unit economics, and a clear impact thesis makes GoCab a compelling platform for sustainable growth.”
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