At the recent African Renaissance Retreat in Kigali, Rwanda, Aliko Dangote, the President of the Pan-African conglomerate, Dangote Group, highlighted the immense potential that Africa has, despite its significant challenges.
Speaking to a gathering of influential leaders and entrepreneurs, Dangote - Africa’s richest man - emphasised that the continent's youthful population and rich natural resources offer opportunities for inclusive growth and global impact that should be taken advantage of.
According to the President of the Pan-African conglomerate, Dangote Group, Africa is home to approximately 30% of the world's mineral reserves and holds the largest deposits of gold, cobalt, uranium, platinum, and diamonds.
Additionally, it possesses 65% of the world’s arable land and 10% of the planet’s renewable freshwater sources. These assets, Dangote argued, are crucial for attaining economic prosperity not just within Africa but across the globe.
The retreat, initiated by Dangote, aimed to unite African business leaders and policymakers to address the continent's pressing challenges and promote Africa as a viable investment destination.
Dangote, whose business empire has expanded to 14 African countries, made mention of the Group's success despite numerous obstacles such as inconsistent government policies, infrastructure deficits, and economic instability.
His enterprises span sectors from cement and fertilisers to sugar and petrochemicals, "The good news is that despite these challenges, we have succeeded in building a pan-African Group that employs over 50,000 people and generates revenues that should exceed $30 billion by the end of 2025," he said.
The gathering provided a platform for discussing conflicts, energy and food security, supply chain disruptions, debt crises, and funding for development.
Dangote stressed that this dialogue was crucial for shaping Africa's narrative and ensuring collective action towards transformative change.
He also acknowledged contributions from prominent figures like Rwandan President Paul Kagame, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn.
He urged the participants to move beyond discussion to implement tangible solutions.
"We are coming together not just as leaders in our respective institutions but as visionaries and catalysts for transforming our societies. It is our collective responsibility to play our role in transforming our continent. Nobody will do it for us but us, especially us in this room,” he added.
The retreat concluded with several resolutions, including high-level dialogues among African leaders regarding support for the free movement of people across the continent, and initiatives to reduce logistics costs and expand internet access.
IOL Business