By Ayomide Otitoju
President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called on African nations to harness internal strengths and global opportunities to drive industrialisation, deepen intra-continental trade, and build stronger regional value chains as a safeguard against global economic instability.
Speaking at the company’s Special Day at the ongoing 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, Algeria, where he was represented by his Special Adviser, Engr. Ahmed Mansur, Dangote stressed the need for a “fundamental shift in mindset” across the continent’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.
He noted that prolonged reliance on exporting raw commodities has limited Africa’s economic potential, urging policymakers and industrial operators to embrace large-scale value addition, innovation, and collaboration.
“This year’s theme, Gateway to New Opportunities, resonates deeply as a reminder of the immense potential that abounds across Africa. To unlock this potential, there must be a deliberate re-orientation toward industrialisation and inclusive growth,” Dangote said.
According to him, geopolitical tensions and global trade wars have forced major economies to diversify their supply chains—an opportunity African exporters must seize by competitively supplying essential products.
Highlighting Dangote Group’s contributions, he pointed to the company’s cement production capacity of 52 million tonnes per annum across 10 countries, its 3MMtpa fertiliser plant that has positioned Nigeria as a net exporter of urea, and the newly operational 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery, which is already reducing Africa’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
“As Africa becomes more self-sufficient in energy, we will be less vulnerable to external shocks and supply disruptions,” he added.
Dangote also emphasised the need for governments to implement policy reforms, invest in infrastructure, and create incentives that will attract private capital and improve the ease of doing business.
The Dangote Special Day at the IATF showcased business units including Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt (NASCON), Dangote Fertiliser, Dangote Polypropylene, and Dangote Packaging. The presentations underscored the importance of regional collaboration in advancing Africa’s industrial growth.
