Aliko Dangote is expanding his push to grow his industrial empire across the African continent, with Burundi emerging as a potential new investment destination.
Recent reports show that the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, alongside former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, paid a visit to Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, as seen on Business Insider Africa.
The visit went beyond a routine courtesy call and included high-level discussions at the presidential palace, where both sides explored possible investment opportunities.
Dangote described the trip as both diplomatic and economic in nature, highlighting its broader purpose. “My visit was in two parts, one was a courtesy visit to his excellency, being my first time to Burundi, we had a very good discussion,” Africa’s richest man said.
Speaking during a briefing, Dangote revealed that two technical teams, one from the Burundian government and another from the Dangote Group, will be set up to identify priority sectors and translate the discussions into viable, bankable projects.
He pointed to strong potential in several areas, including solid minerals, power generation, agriculture, cement production, and infrastructure development, emphasizing the goal of building a partnership that benefits both sides.
“I think there are quite a lot of opportunities in solid minerals in power, in agriculture, in cement, and in other areas,” Dangote said.
“Our focus really is investing heavily in the African continent, and not anywhere else,” he added.
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While Burundi represents a possible new frontier, Dangote’s activities continue across other parts of Africa.
Just last week, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority, said Ghana’s domestic refining capacity remains limited and that the country is therefore looking to import fuel from Dangote.
During the same week, Cameroon’s state-owned oil refinery, Sonara, disclosed that it has begun discussions with the Dangote Group to explore financing and supply options aimed at restarting operations that have been suspended since a devastating fire shut down the refinery in 2019.
Sonara said the engagement is designed to lay the groundwork for long-term technical and commercial cooperation, with the goal of strengthening Cameroon’s fuel security, meeting local demand, and advancing energy independence.
The refinery’s rehabilitation plan relies heavily on ongoing talks around fuel supply agreements and potential funding. Sonara’s “Parras 24” recovery strategy seeks to resume refining operations within 24 months at a cost of CFA291.9 billion ($524 million).
As part of this plan, Sonara intends to negotiate fuel supply arrangements with the Dangote refinery and is also considering the possibility of securing a loan from the Aliko Dangote–owned conglomerate.
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Image Credit: Reuters
