Aliko Dangote, Africa richest man, has urged African entrepreneurs, business leaders, and wealthy individuals to prioritise investing in the continent’s development.
He made this call while hosting participants of the Global CEO Africa Programme from Lagos Business School and Strathmore Business School, Nairobi, after a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & PetroChemicals in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Dangote noted that with the right investments, Africa has the potential to grow and compete globally.
“There will always be challenges. Life without challenges isn’t exciting. You hope for the challenges you can overcome—not the ones that overwhelm you.
“We, as Africans, must stop taking our money abroad. We should invest it here to build our countries and the continent. As for me, I don’t take my money out of Africa. If we don’t show confidence in our economies and leadership, foreign investors certainly won’t. After all, we know our leaders better than anyone else. That money being taken out of the continent should be left here, where it can benefit everyone,” he stated.
Dangote stressed that while many African countries have achieved political independence, they are still largely economically dependent.
He expressed concern about the continent’s growing population in the midst of limited job opportunities.
He also emphasized the need for a strong banking sector, a robust manufacturing base, and a thriving agricultural sector to drive Africa’s economic growth.
The Global CEO Africa Programme is a joint initiative by Lagos Business School and Strathmore Business School in Nairobi, aimed at nurturing business leaders who view Africa as a single market and are committed to unlocking the continent’s vast potential.
