Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has described his $23 billion Dangote Refinery as the “biggest risk” of his life, revealing the immense challenges faced during its development. In an exclusive interview with Forbes, Dangote confessed that had the refinery failed, he would have faced devastating consequences.
Despite the refinery’s groundbreaking capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Dangote acknowledged the numerous hurdles including financing, regulatory obstacles, and supplier challenges. Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in his commitment to building Africa’s industrial future, stressing that Africa must stop relying on foreign investment and create its own wealth.
Dangote also emphasized his dedication to overseeing the project’s success, regularly meeting with engineers and managers. Beyond the refinery, Dangote is advancing other ambitious projects, including a subsea pipeline to transport natural gas from the Niger Delta to Lagos and expanding his fertilizer plant. He plans to take the refinery public in the next one to two years, confident in his track record of overcoming challenges.
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