Billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote is considering Namibia as a new frontier for his conglomerate’s expanding investment portfolio.
Fresh from completing what he described as the world’s largest oil refinery, Dangote hinted at potential future investments in the southern African nation during a high-level meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek this week.
The visit signals a continuation of the Dangote Group’s broader strategy to expand its footprint across the African continent.
Already active in over a dozen countries—including South Africa, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Tanzania—the group is focused on developing energy, manufacturing, and industrial infrastructure.
“Africa is Africa. It’s not just about Nigeria. If we sit back, no entrepreneur—from Japan, the U.S., or elsewhere—will come and build our continent for us,” Dangote remarked, underscoring his pan-African vision.
His interest in Namibia aligns with the country’s emerging green hydrogen strategy, growing energy ambitions, and a renewed focus on intra-African private sector collaboration.
During the meeting, Dangote detailed his company’s latest achievements, including the completion of a 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which he said is now the largest in the world.
The refinery is part of a larger complex that also produces a million tonnes of polypropylene, carbon black feedstock, LPG, sulfate chips, and over three million tonnes of fertilizer annually—making it the second-largest fertilizer plant globally.
Highlighting a $620 million investment in South Africa, Dangote emphasized his commitment to African economic self-reliance. “It’s not about Nigeria; it’s about Africa. We must demonstrate that it can be done—and done by us,” he said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah responded warmly, advocating for greater African ownership and leadership in driving development across the continent.
“We are too few to be poor, considering the resources we have—both human and natural,” she said. “We don’t want to be known as a rich continent with poor people. African entrepreneurs like you give hope to our youth that success is possible.”
In a clear invitation, she encouraged Dangote to see Namibia as “a home away from home” and affirmed the country’s readiness to welcome African-led investments that deliver long-term, local impact.
“When we meet successful African entrepreneurs like you, it is not just about business—it’s about inspiration,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded. “Namibia is ready for this kind of partnership.”
