Africa: Dangote Eyes 90,000 Jobs, $65bn Investment in Africa

What the report says

Aliko Dangote said his group expects more than 90,000 people to be working next year across its refinery, petrochemicals and fertiliser operations in Lagos, according to Daily Trust as republished by AllAfrica. He presented the expansion as part of a broader push to increase industrial production, create jobs and support agriculture across the continent.

Dangote said the wider programme could total about $65 billion over four years and would cover refining, fertiliser, petrochemicals, power, pipelines and other businesses. He also pointed to plans for 20 fertiliser blending plants in strategic locations across Africa, aimed at making farm inputs easier to obtain and available throughout the year. In the report, he linked the effort to Africa’s large youth population and the need for more local manufacturing and employment.

The article said the refinery expansion could add 700,000 barrels per day of capacity, bringing the planned total to about 1.4 million barrels per day. Dangote also outlined targets for fertiliser production, including urea, diammonium phosphate and NPK blending capacity, and said the group wanted to reduce dependence on imported inputs that can face long transport delays.

He added that the company is also considering investments in power and cement, and that financing would come from cash flow, equity and debt. More broadly, the report frames the plan as part of Dangote’s argument that African investors should lead major industrial projects so the continent can process more of its own raw materials and strengthen food security and manufacturing.