Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Dangote urges deepening of African economy through free trade

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President Edgar Lungu with Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote at State House
FILE: President Edgar Lungu with Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote at State House

Speaking during “One to One Conversation” at the on-going 5th annual Financial Times African Summit, the Nigerian entrepreneur said the key to Africa’s economic growth and strength is in the development of the regional market

Foremost businessman, Aliko Dangote has in London called for conscious efforts at deepening African regional market by African investors and governments to aid rapid growth and development of the Continent’s economy.

Speaking during “One to One Conversation” at the on-going 5th annual Financial Times African Summit, the Nigerian entrepreneur said the key to Africa’s economic growth and strength is in the development of the regional market, saying “Regional markets in Africa must work.”

Dangote said Africans must patronize African markets which is why the free trade agreements by African nations is the direction to go to strengthen African markets.

Citing an instance of his own experience, the president of Dangote group referred to the case of neighbouring Benin Republic where the country continues to import cement from China while his Nigerian factory is only 35 miles away from the border.

“We need to trade with ourselves”, Dangote stated as he spoke glowingly about the prospect of African economy, the free trade agreement and the availability of huge raw materials to attract investors.

Asked about when the much touted listing of Dangote cement on the London Stock Exchange, he told his audience comprising of investors, business magnates, captains of Industry and African Heads of Government which included President Akufo-Addo of Ghana and Ali Bongo of Gabon, that the listing might happened in 2019.

According to him, all hands are on deck to complete the process of listing, the development which he said is being looked towards for by the business community.

Prompted by the Editor of the Newspaper, Lionel Barber to speak about difficult markets like Tanzania and Ethiopia, Dangote dismissed the issue difficulty and re-affirmed “our aim is to always provide jobs and worth. As an African investor I don’t want any investor anywhere in Africa to have a bad experience.”

Dangote repeated his central mantra for African growth urging the reduction of exports of raw materials to other continent but create greater wealth within African economies.

Said he: “We need to continue to transform the structure of African economies”. He alluded to his company’s entry into the Ghana Sugar market, pointing that he is further expanding his sugar business to Ghana for the main reason of helping to revitalize its economy. “We are going to help Ghana grow its own sugar for the first time.”

11 COMMENTS

    • This is what I call a wealthy man! Not one rich Zambian who thinks because his net worth is a measly $12m(and I think am being generous here) is owed a presidency. Dangote may not be a president of a country but is the most powerful man on the African continent.

    • If he was a zambian he would’ve joined politics. Because zambians thinks that politics is a richmans club. Look at Gbm once a powerful business tycoon religated to a common man.

    • And HH always showing off his dingy mansion and thinks Zambians owe him the Presidency…maakakaa. GBM became rich through corruption and thats the reason he is now broke no more corrupt tenders….as for Hakainde very mysterious wealth

  1. Aliko Dangote is soo smart, the riches African dude around. His investment has touched almost all African countries.

    • This is what some of our so called rich men should be doing. I wonder what example is being given if they can not even point at what they do with their riches.

  2. And then some $illy man in Zambia thinks we should vote for him just coz he has K2.
    Learn from the Nigerians…..many orgas but few want politics.

  3. Shani abena zed. GBM was rich before he joined politics. He financed PF for sata. But he was diverstated by the death of his excellence Sata. He joined HH which is leading him to bankrucy. Thanks to Miles Sampa he knows Njala. GBM please go back to PF ECL does own PF he is chosen one for now!!!!!!!!!!!!

  4. Who are the top 10 wealthy Zambians? Please someone list them and source of wealth eg
    Dangote worth $—- Trading commodities cament, sugar etc

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