Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote has called on African entrepreneurs, business leaders, and wealthy individuals to invest in the development of the continent.
Dangote emphasized that with the right investments, Africa has the potential to grow and compete globally.
He made this statement while hosting participants of the Global CEO Africa Programme from Lagos Business School and Strathmore Business School, Nairobi, during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Dangote highlighted Africa’s wealth in human and natural resources, stressing that business leaders are well-positioned to harness these assets and create jobs for the continent’s growing population.
He urged the private sector to trust in national leadership and invest at home instead of moving capital abroad, saying, “We, as Africans, must stop taking our money abroad. We should invest it here to build our countries and the continent”.
Dangote emphasized the importance of thinking big and taking bold action, citing the successful construction of the world’s largest single-train refinery as proof that nothing is impossible.
“If you think small, you don’t grow. If you think big, you grow. It’s better to try and fail than never to try at all,” he advised the 24 CEOs in attendance from six African countries.
Dangote expressed concern about the disparity between Africa’s rapidly growing population and limited job opportunities available.
He called for: strong banking sector, robust manufacturing base, more investment in agriculture to ensure food security and economic growth as well as improved Interconnectivity to facilitate trade and economic integration.
The Global CEO Africa Programme aims to nurture business leaders who see Africa as a single market with vast potential.
The program’s Academic Director, Patrick Akinwuntan, praised Dangote for his integrity, competence, and boldness in bringing the monumental refinery project to fruition.
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