Dangote urges Nigeria to boost domestic production capacity

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote. Photo: Arise News

The Dangote Group has reaffirmed the critical role of domestic production in strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience.

The Group stated this on Saturday through its Group General Manager, Mr Abdullahi Bello Danmusa, who represented the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to the Dangote Group President/CE, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, at the Dangote Special Day at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair, according to a statement on Sunday.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s Trade Fair, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” Danmusa said taxation remained a fundamental component of national development, stressing that Dangote Group took its tax obligations seriously and contributed substantial revenues to government annually, while also supporting employment, enterprise and value creation across its operations.

He said trade could achieve greater economic impact when it was supported by strong domestic productive capacity.

“Trade becomes more meaningful when it is supported by production. No country can build lasting resilience by depending excessively on imports that it has the capacity to produce competitively at home.

“This is why Dangote Group continues to invest in manufacturing and industrial capacity across cement, sugar, salt and seasoning, packaging, fertiliser, petrochemicals and petroleum refining. The theme of this year’s Trade Fair, ‘Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,’ speaks directly to the realities of our time.

“Nigeria’s economic resilience will ultimately depend on a fundamental choice: to continue to import what we can produce, or build the capacity to produce, compete and export.”

Danmusa noted that strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity would help deepen economic activity, create jobs, support local enterprises and reduce excessive dependence on imported products.

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He added that the Group’s investments across various sectors reflected its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s industrialisation and contributing to the development of a more productive and resilient economy.

Also speaking at the Dangote Special Day, the First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prof Adebisi Adesugba, commended Dangote Industries for its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.

Adesugba, who represented the President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, said the longstanding partnership between Dangote and the Chamber demonstrated the important role of responsible corporate participation in promoting commerce, investment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and across the African sub-region.

He noted that Dangote’s strategic investments in sectors including cement, fertiliser, agriculture, refining and petrochemicals had contributed to strengthening domestic productive capacity, creating employment opportunities, reducing dependence on imports and supporting foreign exchange generation.

“ACCI recognises Dangote not only as an exhibitor and sponsor, but also as a strategic partner.” He said the partnership between ACCI and Dangote had contributed to creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs while supporting trade, investment and sustainable economic development.

Adesugba further expressed the Chamber’s appreciation for Dangote’s longstanding relationship and partnership with ACCI, describing the collaboration as an important platform for strengthening the business community and advancing economic opportunities.

The Dangote Special Day brought together business leaders, government representatives, investors, exhibitors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders as part of activities at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair.

The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to engage on issues around taxation, trade, industrialisation, investment, domestic production and the broader prospects for Nigeria’s economic development.