Dangote Reaffirms Africa Must Invest in Infrastructure That Creates Jobs

President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed the fundamental role of infrastructure development, job creation, and private sector investment in accelerating Africa’s economic transformation.

Dangote stated that the focus of the African continent should be in investing in infrastructure projects that create jobs and boost industrialisation.

According to a statement from Dangote Group, he made this assertion during a series of high-level engagements with global financial leaders on the sidelines of the recently concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The meetings are coming as result of  his ongoing efforts to mobilise investment flows and deepen strategic partnerships within Nigeria’s energy and industrial sectors.

Dangote while speaking during a keynote address at the World Bank’s Water Forward event,  emphasised the urgency of scaling private sector participation to reposition water systems as enablers of industrialisation and employment across developing economies.

He explained that infrastructure, particularly effective and sustainable water management, remains foundational to inclusive growth and long-term economic resilience.

Dangote said as quoted in the statement that “Africa’s growth story will be defined by our ability to invest in infrastructure that supports industry, creates jobs, and unlocks productivity across the continent.

“When the private sector is fully engaged, especially in critical areas like water and energy, it becomes a powerful engine for inclusive and sustainable development.”

Dangote also held strategic discussions as part of his engagements with senior global financial leaders, including World Bank President Ajay Banga, focusing on accelerating capital inflows into Africa’s industrial sector.

He underscored that rapid industrialisation is vital to strengthening economic resilience, promoting diversification, and reducing the continent’s exposure to external shocks.

Dangote also outlined the Group’s Vision 2030 strategy, which targets the significant expansion of operations across the Dangote Refinery, Fertiliser and Petrochemical Complex, and other business units, with the goal of achieving annual revenues of US$100 billion.

He reiterated that the strategy reinforces the Group’s long-standing commitment to Africa-led industrial growth and sustainable development.