Africa’s richest man and globally renowned industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed his commitment to driving industrial transformation across the continent through large-scale investments in key sectors.
Speaking during his recent visit to Namibia, Dangote outlined the breadth of the Dangote Group’s operations, which span multiple African countries with major interests in cement, fertiliser, and petroleum refining.Dangote proudly stated:
“We are present in more than 12 African countries with major investments in cement, fertiliser, and our newly completed 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery, which is the largest in the world.”
He further elaborated on the massive scale of his industrial empire, noting that the newly commissioned refinery in Nigeria is designed not only to meet local energy demands but also to contribute to regional energy security.
“We built a refinery with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. In addition, we produce carbon black, LPG, and sulphate chips,” he explained.
He also drew attention to the group’s fertiliser production capacity, which now exceeds three million tonnes annually ranking it as the second largest fertiliser plant in the world.
Dangote added that the company is actively exploring expansion opportunities in other African nations with phosphate resources, aiming to deepen the fertiliser value chain and support agricultural productivity across the continent.
The visit to Namibia was marked by high-level engagements, including a warm reception from President Nandi Ndaitwah, who praised Dangote for his business acumen and influence.
“Meeting successful African entrepreneurs like yourself serves as a true inspiration for young Africans to play their part in the continent’s development,” the President said.
“You are most welcome, and I’m glad you have finally made it, as promised. Please consider Namibia your home away from home.”
As part of his courtesy visits, Dangote also met with Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab. The central bank described the engagement as a “cordial and constructive exchange” that touched on key areas of mutual interest, including the importance of intra-African investment, industrialisation, and the role of strategic partnerships between governments and the private sector.
Aliko Dangote is the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s most diversified conglomerates. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the group has expanded its footprint across the continent, with substantial investments in cement production where it holds the title of Africa’s largest cement manufacturer as well as agriculture, mining, and petrochemicals.
The group’s most notable achievement to date is the completion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, situated in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos. With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, it is the largest single-train refinery in the world. This mega project is expected to dramatically reduce Africa’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products and generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Dangote’s fertiliser plant, also located in Lekki, is a cornerstone of Africa’s agricultural revolution, supplying urea-based fertiliser across the continent. The group’s operations are anchored in the vision of transforming Africa’s industrial base, reducing import dependency, and creating sustainable development through job creation and value addition.
Beyond business, Dangote is a major philanthropist, with initiatives in health, education, and economic empowerment through the Dangote Foundation. His visit to Namibia signals not only a gesture of diplomatic engagement but also a potential entry point for future investment collaboration between Namibia and the Dangote Group.
