Mrs. Fatima Aliko-Dangote, the Group Executive Director of Commercial Operations at the Dangote Group, has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the full industrialization of Nigeria.
She made this known at the ongoing 2025 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday.
She was represented by Mrs Funmi Sanni, Group Head, Sales and Marketing Director, Dangote Cement Plc.
Aliko-Dangote described industrialisation as the most viable path to value addition, economic diversification, and large-scale job creation for the nation’s youth.
She also revealed the company’s plan to expand Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million per day by 2028.
She noted that the theme of the ongoing trade fair: ” Connecting Businesses, Creating Value”, was both timely and highly appropriate.
According to her, it encapsulates the chamber’s strategic vision of bringing together various stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and consumers, in the same location.
Aliko-Dangote said the group, as Africa’s leading indigenous conglomerate, was connected to several businesses across the world and consistently creating value.
She said its investment philosophy is that only Africans can develop Africa.
“This is why we have invested in many African countries.
“Recently, we had the historic groundbreaking ceremony of the $2.5 billion, three million metric tonne Urea Fertiliser Production Complex, in Gode, Ethiopia.
“This new plant is a partnership between the Dangote Group and Ethiopian Investment Holdings (EIH), the strategic investment arm of the Government of Ethiopia.
“The project at completion will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the country while at the same time boosting agricultural output,” she said.
She added that the group had commenced the expansion of the Dangote Cement Plant in Ethiopia with a $400 million investment plan for a second production line at the cement plant.
She said its Côte d’Ivoire grinding plant started operations in the third quarter, marking another major step in Dangote Cement’s growth journey, increasing our total installed capacity to 55Mta across Africa.
“This milestone reinforces our commitment to regional self-reliance and strengthens our position as the continent’s leading cement producer.
“We have started construction of a new 6Mta integrated cement plant in Itori, Ogun state, a facility that would be dedicated for export to neighbouring countries,” she said.
Aliko-Dangote said in Nigeria, the group was expanding Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s capacity from 650,000 barrel per day to 1.4 million per day by 2028.
She stated that Dangote Fertiliser Ltd., and Dangote Polypropylene, Dangote Sugar Refinery and NASCON Allied Industries Plc (Dangote Salt) were leading players in their sectors.
She affirmed Dangote Sugar’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria ends the importation of raw sugar by actively intensifying its execution of the Sugar Backward Integration.
“In this regard, it has committed over $700 million in land acquisition, machinery, infrastructure, manpower, community relations, corporate social responsibility and other impactful activities,” she said.
Addressing the trade fair, Aliko-Dangote expressed her expectations, hoping that through the fair, the company would be able to expand awareness of its innovative products and generate sales.
She said the fair would provide an opportunity to improve the image of brands and open new markets, which would further translate into job creation and overall economic development.
The Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Mr Ravindra Singhvi, unveiled two new categories of Dangote Sugar packs.
Singhvi acknowledged the immense growth of the Dangote Group companies, highlighting its position as the largest in Africa and a significant player globally.
Looking to the future, he announced ambitious plans for two major projects, which would focus on producing sugar from Nigeria, by Nigerians, and for Nigerians.
According to him, these initiatives are set to significantly enhance the company’s capabilities and better meet market demands.
“Currently, the company offers 50kg bags—both fortified and unfortified—for various consumer segments.
“In response to changing consumer preferences and market dynamics, two new packages are being launched: 25 kg bags and 100-gram bags,” he said.
Singhvi said the introduction of the 25kg bag was a strategic move to aid distributors and consumers who often had to divide larger bags for retail purposes.
He stated that by offering this more manageable size, the company aimed to streamline the purchasing process for corporate customers and others, ensuring they can buy a fresh product without additional costs.
Mr. Gabriel Idahosa, President of the LCCI, said that to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving global economy, the role of visionary industrial leadership was crucial.
Idahosa said the leadership of Dangote Group had demonstrated industrial prowess by investing where others were hesitant.
He described the birth of Dangote Refinery as a clear demonstration of an industrialist utterly passionate about the country and willing to support various areas of impact.
“With the Dangote Refinery having a confirmed capacity to meet the local demand in Nigeria, the Nigerian economic outlook looks bright.
“The LCCI remained committed to fostering partnerships, promoting policy advocacy, and creating platforms that enabled businesses and industries to thrive,” he said.
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