By Dipo Olowookere
Africa’s richest man, Mr Aliko Dangote, has been urged to explore potential investment opportunities in Gabon amid issues with the Nigerian government.
The businessman was recently accused of producing substandard diesel by the chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed.
But when some members of the House of Representatives tested diesel from the company and two from other petrol stations, it was discovered that the fuel from Dangote was of higher quality than the others as it had very low sulphur content, less than 40 ppm compared with the others imported into the country with over 2,000 ppm.
This infuriated the business mogul, who wondered why his country’s regulatory agency would want to demarket his company.
During a visit, the President of Gabon, Mr Brice Oligui Nguema, urged Mr Dangote, who recently shelved his plans to go into steel production in Nigeria, to invest in cement and fertiliser production in his country.
Both parties discussed how Dangote Industries could contribute to Gabon’s economic growth by establishing cement and fertilizer plants, which are vital for the country’s infrastructure development and agricultural productivity.
President Nguema highlighted his country’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for foreign investments, noting that the collaboration with Dangote Industries will bring significant benefits, including job creation, technology transfer, and enhanced industrial capacity.
Mr Dangote, renowned for his successful business ventures across Africa, underscored his company’s dedication to fostering economic development in the continent, pointing out that investing in Gabon’s cement and fertilizer sectors aligns with his organisation’s strategic vision of expanding its footprint and supporting sustainable development across Africa.
“We are excited about the opportunity to invest in Gabon. Our goal is to contribute to the country’s economic diversification and industrialization efforts. By leveraging our expertise in cement and fertilizer production, we aim to support Gabon’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors,” the businessman said.
It was gathered that both parties agreed to hold further discussions and assessments to finalize the investment plans.