NCCIMA Hails Dangote Group as Driving Force Behind Africa’s Industrial Transformation

The Director-General of the Niger Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA), Adamu Salihu, has described the Dangote Group as a major catalyst for Africa’s industrial and economic transformation, saying the conglomerate is playing a leading role in shaping the continent’s future.

Speaking ahead of the Dangote Special Day at the 22nd Niger National Trade Fair in Minna, Salihu said the Chamber would use the occasion to further highlight the achievements and contributions of the Group to the people of Niger State, Nigeria and the wider African business community.

He noted that Dangote Group’s investments in cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, agriculture and energy have become a strong model for indigenous industrialisation, proving that African entrepreneurs can successfully build globally competitive enterprises.

According to Salihu, the theme of this year’s trade fair — Public-Private Partnership as a Panacea for Nigeria’s Growth and Stability — reflects the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in achieving sustainable economic development.

He said the investment profile of Dangote Group aligns with the development priorities of Niger State, especially in agriculture, where the company’s rice and sugar operations complement the state’s vast arable land and ambition to become Nigeria’s leading food production hub.

Salihu expressed confidence that Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 strategy would attract large-scale investments into agriculture, mining and agro-processing in Niger State, sectors where the state has both comparative and competitive advantages.

The Dangote Group recently unveiled its Vision 2030 roadmap aimed at expanding manufacturing capacity across Africa, strengthening supply chains and increasing the Group’s revenue to 100 billion dollars by the end of the decade.

Operating in more than a dozen African countries, the Group has interests in cement, fertiliser, petrochemicals, agriculture, sugar, salt and energy. Its mission, according to the company, is to boost local manufacturing, create jobs and reduce Africa’s dependence on imports.

Salihu said the company’s backward integration strategy and emphasis on local sourcing have stimulated domestic production, created wealth and reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imported goods.

He also described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a landmark project that is transforming Nigeria’s energy sector by conserving foreign exchange, addressing fuel shortages, promoting competition and creating opportunities for indigenous investors.

According to him, states such as Niger stand to benefit from improved fuel availability and reduced logistics costs, which could further support manufacturing, commerce and agricultural activities.

Salihu added that Dangote Group’s commitment to local content development, technology transfer and infrastructure investment demonstrates how African-owned businesses can drive industrial growth across the continent.

He urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to emulate the bold investment approach of Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote, by building businesses capable of creating long-term economic value.

He also called on large corporations to support nano, micro, small and medium enterprises by integrating them into their supply chains, stressing that chambers of commerce can help identify credible local businesses to serve as suppliers and service providers.

The NCCIMA Director-General appealed to exhibitors, investors and the public to support the annual Niger National Trade Fair, describing it as an important platform for investment promotion, partnerships and economic advancement.

Salihu further revealed that Dangote Group’s industrial expansion is extending beyond Nigeria, citing recent discussions about establishing a major refinery in East Africa as further proof of the company’s commitment to transforming Africa’s economy.

He said the proposed refinery, unveiled by Aliko Dangote during the Africa We Build Summit in Nairobi, would replicate the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos and serve the East African market, subject to government support in the region.

Describing the move as a clear sign of the company’s continental ambition, Salihu said Dangote Group is “not only industrialising Nigeria, but indeed the whole of Africa.”

He noted that the planned East African refinery reflects the Group’s long-term strategy of developing world-class industrial assets capable of reducing import dependence, conserving foreign exchange, creating jobs and strengthening regional value chains across Africa.

Dangote had announced at the summit that the company was prepared to build a similar refinery in East Africa within the next four to five years if the necessary backing is provided by governments in the region.

Salihu said the expansion plan aligns with Dangote Group’s Vision 2030 agenda and reinforces its commitment to using African capital, expertise and technology to accelerate industrial development across the continent.