Dangote Urges African Economic Integration and Trade Expansion
By Patience Ikpeme
Aliko Dangote, President/CE of Dangote Industries Limited, has called for greater integration of African economies and the expansion of trade and investments across the continent to stimulate growth and create employment opportunities.
Dangote made the call while speaking at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair 2023, which is being held at the Al Manara International Conference Centre in Nasr City, Cairo Governorate. He was represented by the Group Executive Director, Stakeholder Management and Government Relations, Engr. Ahmed Mansur.
Mansur expressed Dangote’s commitment to participating in and supporting both the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the Intra-African Trade Fair. He said:
“The Dangote Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Africa with investments in several sectors and across 14 countries in Africa. The integration of African economies and the expansion of trade and investments within the continent is therefore extremely important to our group because it provides opportunities for continuous growth and expansion. This is why we support the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and indeed the Intra-African Trade Fair.”
Mansur also affirmed that Dangote has a responsibility to help promote entrepreneurship and development in Africa. He said:
“For an event of this magnitude, Dangote has a responsibility because it is recognized all over Africa. You will be surprised that perhaps the Dangote Group in terms of its capacity as a leading entrepreneur in Nigeria is recognized more widely in other African countries. And so, we have the responsibility to carry our brand and to carry that name very prominently. I think it is not just a question of coming to sell something or look for partners, we have loads of partners, Dangote sits at home, the partners will come from everywhere. But I think we also need to show the flag and it is important not only for Dangote but for Nigeria. We need to continue to recognize this responsibility.”
The 3rd Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), which is being organized by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat, has brought together 1,600 exhibitors from over 75 exhibiting countries. Around 35,000 conference delegates, trade visitors, and media personnel are among the participants who have flocked to the event venue in Cairo.
Dangote Industries Limited (Dangote Group) is one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates and a key investor in the Nigerian economy. It is an integrated group with an annual turnover of over US$4 billion. The Group’s interests include cement, sugar, salt, fertilizer, agriculture, transport, packaging, and real estate, with ongoing new projects in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and steel sectors.
The trade fair, with the theme “Connecting African Markets,” is intended to promote greater trade among African member-countries, drive regional integration, and expedite the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement for the benefit of all Africans. It is scheduled to conclude on November 15.
