Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is expanding his efforts to make Nigeria self-sufficient, now turning his focus to reducing the country’s reliance on sugar imports, reports The Herald.
The Dangote Group plans to invest in local manufacturing to replace imports, create jobs, and boost economic growth.
Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery has taken legal action against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), seeking to cancel permits for importing refined petroleum products.
Speaking at the 14th Gateway International Trade Fair in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dangote announced his company’s commitment to ending sugar imports, revealing a $700 million investment to increase local production.
Tunde Mabogunje, regional director of Lagos/Ogun Dangote Cement, represented Dangote at the event and highlighted the company’s efforts. “We are fully committed to the Sugar Backward Integration Plan and have invested over $700 million in land, machinery, infrastructure, workforce, and community initiatives to ensure Nigeria no longer relies on imported raw sugar,” he said.
He further emphasised, “As a company focused on strengthening Nigeria’s economy, we will continue to seek opportunities in manufacturing to reduce imports, generate employment, and support national growth.”
Dangote also expressed confidence that the trade fair would help expand market reach, increase consumer awareness of the company’s products, and contribute to economic development and job creation.
