Africa’s wealthiest individual and Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, delivered significant news at the Africa CEO Forum Annual Summit in Kigali.
He confidently announced that, thanks to the meticulous plans of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria will cease gasoline imports from next month.
Dangote emphasized the refinery’s capacity to fulfill not only Nigeria’s but also West Africa’s petrol and diesel requirements, along with the continent’s aviation fuel demand. He expressed his optimism about revolutionizing Africa’s energy landscape.
In his words: “Right now, Nigeria has no cause to import anything apart from gasoline and by sometime in June, within the next four or five weeks, Nigeria shouldn’t import anything like gasoline; not one drop of a litre.”
He elaborated on the strides made by the oil company to bolster Africa’s energy independence. Dangote highlighted various products, including polypropylene, polyethene, base oil, and linear benzyl, aimed at making Africa self-sufficient.
Dangote further outlined the company’s achievements since the refinery’s commissioning in February, emphasizing its substantial contribution to Africa’s energy sector. He acknowledged challenges faced during construction, including resistance from those profiting from the status quo.
Reflecting on these challenges, Dangote emphasized the necessity of consistent policies to support African entrepreneurs and urged leaders to facilitate smooth trading within the continent.