PRESS RELEASE
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote ( Photo Credit: Bloomberg.com)
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited,
Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed the Dangote Group’s unwavering commitment to
Africa’s industrial transformation, wealth creation, and long-term economic
development, stating that the ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public
Offering (IPO) represents a unique opportunity for Africans to participate
directly in the continent’s most ambitious industrial project.
Speaking during an interview with Bloomberg Television, Dangote
said the Dangote Refinery IPO is not merely a capital-raising exercise but part
of a broader vision to democratise ownership of strategic African assets and
create sustainable value for millions of investors across the continent.
According to him, the refinery's public offering gives ordinary
Africans and institutional investors alike the opportunity to become
shareholders in a world-class enterprise that is helping to redefine Africa’s
energy future.
He noted that broadening ownership of the refinery is as
important as expanding its operational capacity because it enables more
Africans to participate in the wealth generated by the continent’s largest
industrial investments.
"For decades, Africa's most strategic assets have been
owned by a limited group of investors. Through this IPO, we are creating an
opportunity for millions of Africans to become part-owners of a transformative
business that is changing the energy landscape of the continent. It is about
creating value, expanding prosperity, and building generational wealth for our
people," said Dangote.
The foremost industrialist emphasised that the refinery was
conceived as an African solution to Africa’s longstanding energy challenges and
forms a critical part of the Dangote Group’s mission of reducing the
continent’s dependence on imports while strengthening local production
capabilities. He explained that the Group remains focused on building
industries that support economic self-sufficiency, create jobs, stimulate
foreign exchange earnings, and drive sustainable development across Africa.
Dangote disclosed that the company plans to further expand the
refinery's capacity from its current 700,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million
barrels per day over the coming years, positioning it among the largest
refining complexes globally and significantly improving Africa’s ability to
meet its own energy requirements. He added that proceeds from the ongoing IPO
will support this ambitious expansion programme.
The billionaire entrepreneur also revealed that the Dangote
Petroleum Refinery intends to seek a listing on the New York Stock Exchange
after completing its next phase of expansion, a move designed to deepen access
to international capital while showcasing Africa’s industrial potential to
global investors.
Speaking on investor confidence, Dangote noted that the strong
demand recorded during the refinery’s private placement demonstrated both
domestic and international belief in the project’s future. He stressed that the
Group deliberately limited the amount raised during the private placement to
encourage broader ownership and participation by a wider cross-section of
Africans.
"Our objective has always been bigger than building a
refinery. We want to create institutions that will outlive us, businesses that
can compete globally, and opportunities that allow Africans to share in the
wealth created on the continent. This IPO is another step towards achieving
that vision," he stated.
The Dangote Group President underscored that Africa possesses
the resources, talent, and market potential required to compete with the
world's leading economies, stressing that industrialisation remains the surest
path to economic prosperity. He maintained that investments in sectors such as
refining, petrochemicals, cement, fertiliser, and manufacturing would continue
to drive the continent's economic renaissance.
The ongoing Dangote Petroleum Refinery IPO, described as the
largest public share offering in Africa's history, has generated significant
interest from investors, policymakers, market analysts, and development
institutions who see the offering as a landmark moment for Nigeria's capital
market and Africa's industrial growth story.
Credit Dangote Group PR
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