Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has said he is prepared to make significant personal sacrifices to help transform Africa’s economy and end the continent’s dependence on the export of raw materials.
Speaking on Africa’s economic future, Mr Dangote said the continent must move towards producing and processing its own resources rather than allowing other countries to continue benefiting from its raw materials.
“I would rather save my continent at the expense of even my life. This continent must get to the promised land,” he said.
He argued that Africa must build the industrial capacity needed to process its abundant natural resources locally, creating jobs, expanding economic opportunities and retaining more value within the continent.
Mr Dangote also warned that the traditional model of exporting raw materials and importing finished products was unsustainable, stressing that Africans must take greater responsibility for developing industries on the continent.
“People will eventually stop taking our raw materials. They must produce in our own continent,” he said.
His comments come amid growing calls across Africa for greater industrialisation, local production and economic integration as countries seek to reduce dependence on imported manufactured goods.
Mr Dangote has invested heavily in large-scale industrial projects in Nigeria, including the Dangote Refinery, which he has described as part of efforts to strengthen local production and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products.
