Zoomer Africa’s Editorial

Nairobi — Nigerian billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has said he is ready to build a replica of his 650,000-barrel-per-day oil refinery in East Africa, provided the region’s leaders support the investment.

Speaking on Thursday, April 23, at an infrastructure summit in Nairobi, Dangote said such a project could help strengthen East Africa’s energy capacity and reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

The business magnate, whose refinery in Nigeria is seen as one of Africa’s most ambitious industrial projects, indicated that political will and regional backing would be key to making a similar development possible in East Africa.

Beyond refining, Dangote also announced plans to expand Africa’s agricultural and industrial value chains through fertilizer production. He said he intends to establish 20 fertilizer blending plants across the continent by 2028, with the goal of meeting most of Africa’s fertilizer needs.

The announcement signals Dangote’s growing ambition to deepen industrial investment across Africa, at a time when many countries are seeking homegrown solutions to energy insecurity, rising production costs, and food supply challenges.

If supported, the proposed refinery and fertilizer expansion could mark a significant step toward strengthening Africa’s self-reliance in both energy and agriculture.

Nigerian multinational industrial conglomerate Dangote Group’s CEO Aliko Dangote looks on as he attends a meeting during the seventh “Choose France Summit”, aiming to attract foreign investors to the country, at the Chateau de Versailles, outside Paris, France May 13, 2024. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

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