One cement bag at a time; Meet the woman rebuilding Nigeria’s infrastructure

As global construction demand soars, eyes are turning to Africa’s burgeoning building materials sector and the entrepreneurs driving its expansion. One name consistently rising to the top is Hauwa Omowale Ishola, Director of Kesmorah & Sons (also known as Kesmorah Global Multibiz).

For Hauwa, the building materials business isn’t just about sales quotas and supply chains—it’s about empowering communities and forging lasting change. As a Senior Executive of Kesmorah & Sons, she has dedicated her career to making high-quality construction materials accessible to customers across Nigeria while mentoring young professionals to become the next wave of industry leaders.

Her journey began with a simple premise: local communities should reap the benefits of large-scale commercial operations. Over the years, her empathetic leadership style and focus on inclusivity have redefined how distributors engage with clients and employees. Many who join Kesmorah Global Multibiz speak of the supportive environment, marked by training, skill development, and clear pathways for advancement—particularly for women in a traditionally male-dominated field.

“People often overlook the human element when discussing building materials,” Hauwa remarks. “But every bag of cement and every roofing sheet eventually contributes to someone’s home, someone’s dream.”

In a ceremony last month, Kesmorah received a coveted award from Nigerite for achieving the best performance among distributors in the Kwara region, acknowledging Kesmorah & Sons’ remarkable reach and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. For many community members, that recognition was a reaffirmation of the company’s deep ties and dedication to local development.

“Kwara State has tremendous potential in the building sector,” Hauwa explained. “We want to make sure our people have easy access to quality materials, whether they’re working on major city infrastructure or building new homes in more rural communities.”

Yet Hauwa isn’t resting on her laurels. She envisions a future where sustainable, eco-friendly products become the norm. Kesmorah & Sons is already investing in green technology and promoting best practices that reduce environmental footprints in construction. “We owe it to the next generation,” she says.

As global investors continue to scout emerging markets, Hauwa’s blueprint for cement distribution and localized growth could become a model for others in the industry. With Africa’s construction sector projected to expand steadily over the coming decade, entrepreneurs like her appear poised to define a new era of economic empowerment.

Hauwa Omowale Ishola’s story shows how leadership anchored in community values can reshape entire industries. By championing ethical growth, mentoring upcoming professionals, and embracing sustainability, Hauwa is—quite literally—building a better tomorrow for Nigeria and beyond.