…Says reliable electricity, job creation key to tackling insecurity

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to increase his group’s investment target in Africa from $50 billion to about $70 billion under its Vision 2030 programme.

KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote also disclosed plans for a 10,000-megawatt power generation intervention across Africa, potentially including Nigeria, as part of efforts to address electricity shortages and accelerate industrial development.

Dangote made the disclosures while addressing creative industry stakeholders from Northern Nigeria, including content creators, journalists, bloggers, entertainers and Kannywood actors.

He said expanding production, creating jobs and ensuring reliable electricity supply were critical to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and addressing insecurity.

“We initially planned to invest $50 billion. We are now looking at increasing that to about $70 billion in Africa,” he said.

The industrialist identified inadequate electricity supply as one of the major obstacles to business growth, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), warning that businesses relying on petrol and diesel generators would find it difficult to remain profitable.

He said the group currently generated nearly 1,500 megawatts of electricity for its operations, adding that the capacity could increase to between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts by the completion of Vision 2030.

“Across the group, we currently have almost 1,500 megawatts. By the time we complete Vision 2030, that could rise to between 4,500 and 5,000 megawatts,” he said.

“That is captive power—electricity for our own operations. Separately, part of the vision is to intervene in power generation with 10,000 megawatts across Africa, potentially including Nigeria.”

Responding to a question on the economic decisions that could improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians, Dangote said electricity was central to the country’s development.

He argued that although individuals and businesses could install alternative power systems such as solar, such measures would not address the wider electricity challenge facing the country.

“Installing solar power for yourself does not mean the wider problem has been solved. Other people may not have that option,” he said.

He described SMEs as essential drivers of economic activity, noting that large companies played an important role in supporting smaller businesses.

“A vibrant economy is driven by small and medium-sized enterprises. Large companies such as ours help sustain those businesses, but SMEs are essential to economic activity. When you generate electricity using diesel or petrol, it becomes very difficult to make money,” he said.

Dangote expressed confidence in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potential, saying the country had yet to fully harness the opportunities offered by its large economy.

He urged the government to focus on creating an enabling environment through consistent and business-friendly policies, while encouraging private enterprises to invest, expand production and create employment opportunities.

“Government’s principal responsibility is to create an enabling environment through good policies. With the right policies, businesses can invest and create jobs,” he said.

The industrialist also identified agriculture and solid minerals as sectors with significant investment opportunities, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

He, however, called for a shift from exporting raw materials to processing them locally, arguing that value addition would strengthen the economy and reduce dependence on imported finished products.

“It is not only about us; it is about Nigeria and the African continent. We should not simply export raw materials and then buy back the processed products at many times the price. That is the pattern we want to change,” he said.

Dangote said investment in infrastructure, including ports, would help producers access wider markets and improve the country’s capacity to process and export goods.

“Without production, we will continue to face economic difficulties. We must build a productive economy,” he added.

Reflecting on his business journey, Dangote attributed the expansion of his conglomerate to focus, financial discipline and the consistent reinvestment of profits.

He said the group’s transition from trading to manufacturing was driven by its decision to produce goods it already understood, leveraging existing customers, distribution networks and market knowledge.

“The logical next step was backward integration: producing the things we were already importing,” he said.

He also advised entrepreneurs to exercise financial discipline, avoid spending profits before they were realised and be prepared to discontinue ventures that were no longer commercially viable.

“Give it your best effort, but when you do the numbers and they are not adding up, you must be willing to leave,” he said.

Despite the challenges facing businesses, Dangote assured that his group would continue investing, urging smaller enterprises to take advantage of opportunities created by major industrial projects.

“People like us will continue investing. People like you can build businesses around those investments—as suppliers, producers and service providers,” he said.

Ibrahim Khalil

The National Association of Scrap and Waste Dealers Employers of Nigeria (NASWDEN) has expressed support for the Federal Government’s proposed licensing and regulation of the scrap metal industry, saying the initiative will help curb theft, vandalism and the destruction of critical national infrastructure.

KANO FOCUS reports that the association’s National President, Alhaji Fatai Ogunwale, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.

Ogunwale spoke at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos organised by the Federal Ministry of Steel Development to validate the proposed Scrap Metal Collection, Trading, Recycling and Regulations 2026.

He said the proposed framework was aimed at addressing the activities of individuals who engage in the illegal removal of metals and vandalism of critical infrastructure, including electricity cables, railway components and manhole covers.

The NASWDEN president commended the Federal Government for the initiative but cautioned against multiple taxation of scrap metal dealers transporting materials to end-users and rolling mills across the country.

He also appealed to the government to address the alleged harassment and extortion of association members by touts operating along major highways while carrying out their legitimate businesses.

Ogunwale disclosed that NASWDEN had earlier launched an anti-vandalism campaign and was working with security agencies to protect critical national infrastructure and other national assets.

He said the association had also introduced loading inspection confirmation clearance documents for its members to help prevent theft and vandalism by criminals disguising themselves as scrap dealers.

In his remarks, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, said the proposed regulatory framework would establish an organised and transparent scrap metal value chain in the country.

Audu, who was represented by the Director of Metallurgical Raw Materials Development and Investment Promotion in the ministry, Mr Ime Eprikpo, said the regulations were expected to improve the supply of locally sourced raw materials to steel manufacturing companies.

He added that the framework would formalise the activities of scrap dealers and strengthen environmental and occupational safety standards.

Also speaking, NASWDEN’s Deputy National President, Comrade Aminu Hassan Soja, called on the Federal Government to urgently investigate alleged attacks on members of the association by an individual identified as Uche Ogbu Luke.

Soja alleged that Luke was an impostor who used armed thugs to intimidate and extort scrap dealers operating along highways in the South-East and South-South regions.

“We call on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and put an end to the activities of one Uche Ogbu Luke, whom we allege is using armed thugs to intimidate and extort scrap dealers along highways across the South-East and South-South regions,” he said.

He urged relevant security agencies to investigate the allegations, apprehend those found culpable and protect scrap dealers from harassment, intimidation and unlawful extortion.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Barau Football Club has engaged a certified football security and safeguarding officer, Jamilu Uba Adamu, to strengthen its security arrangements ahead of upcoming Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures.

KANO FOCUS reports that the club said the move was aimed at improving stadium safety, crowd management and the protection of players, match officials, supporters and other stakeholders during matchdays.

Adamu brings more than 15 years of experience in stadium safety, crowd management and safeguarding, according to a statement issued by the club’s media team.

The club explained that the decision followed a review of its existing security arrangements, which identified the need to strengthen security systems, improve crowd control and ensure the proper deployment of stewards at strategic locations within and around the stadium.

It said Adamu would provide professional guidance, technical expertise and effective security strategies to enhance safety during its home matches.

The club added that the initiative reflected its commitment to providing a safe, secure and well-organised matchday environment in line with NPFL standards and best practices.