By Ayomide Otitoju
The Pan-African conglomerate Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has reiterated its commitment to driving industrialisation in Nigeria and across Africa, pledging to maintain its leadership role in fostering sustainable economic growth.
The declaration was made by Hajiya Fatima Aliko-Dangote, Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, during the Dangote Special Day at the ongoing 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) held at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. She was represented at the event by Mrs. Funmi Sanni, Group Sales and Marketing Director, Dangote Cement Plc.
In her remarks, Aliko-Dangote described industrialisation as the most viable pathway to value addition, economic diversification, and large-scale job creation for Nigeria’s youth. She highlighted Dangote Group’s plan to expand the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028.
She also praised the theme of the trade fair, “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value,” describing it as timely and strategic. According to her, the theme reflects the Chamber’s vision of uniting manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and consumers under one platform, facilitating business-to-business and business-to-consumer engagements and providing feedback for improvement.
Aliko-Dangote highlighted Dangote Group’s philosophy that only Africans can develop Africa, citing investments across the continent, including the $2.5 billion, three-million-metric-tonne Urea Fertiliser Production Complex in Gode, Ethiopia, a partnership with Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), which will generate thousands of jobs and boost agricultural output.
She further noted the $400 million expansion of Dangote Cement Plant in Ethiopia, the start of operations at the 3Mta Côte d’Ivoire grinding plant, raising the Group’s total installed capacity to 55Mta across Africa, and the ongoing construction of a 6Mta integrated cement plant in Itori, Ogun State, aimed primarily at exports.
Aliko-Dangote also confirmed expansions for Dangote Fertiliser Ltd. and Dangote Polypropylene to deepen domestic economic contributions. She reaffirmed Dangote Sugar Refinery’s commitment to ending raw sugar imports through its Backward Integration Programme, which involves over $700 million in land acquisition, machinery, infrastructure, manpower, CSR, and community engagement.
A key highlight of the Special Day was the unveiling of two new Dangote Sugar product packages—a 100g sachet and 25kg bag—by Mr. Ravindra Singhvi, CEO of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. He emphasized the Group’s position as Africa’s largest conglomerate and outlined plans to enhance domestic sugar production to meet evolving consumer demand.
In his remarks, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, President of LCCI, praised Dangote Group’s visionary industrial leadership, noting that its investments, including the Dangote Refinery, demonstrate a commitment to national development. “With the Dangote Refinery meeting local demand, Nigeria’s economic outlook looks bright,” he said, adding that the Chamber remains dedicated to fostering partnerships, policy advocacy, and platforms that enable businesses and industries to thrive.
