Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has called on African business leaders, entrepreneurs, and the continent’s wealthy elite to channel their investments into transformative projects that will drive Africa’s economic independence and long-term development. Speaking while hosting participants of the Global CEO Africa Programme at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, he delivered a passionate charge: “Stop taking our money abroad. Invest it here, where it can benefit everyone.”
Dangote’s message came during a high-profile visit by 24 senior executives from six African countries, led by Lagos Business School and Strathmore Business School, Nairobi. Touring the world’s largest single-train refinery, the CEOs witnessed firsthand the scale of Dangote’s industrial ambition. The refinery, located in Ibeju-Lekki, serves as a powerful testament to what private African capital and vision can achieve in the face of scepticism and infrastructure gaps.
“Life without challenges isn’t exciting,” Dangote said, reflecting on the initial doubts that surrounded the refinery’s construction. “But with determination, we proved it could be done. Now, we believe we can do even more—like making our fertiliser plant the world’s largest within 40 months.” He urged the visitors to believe in Africa’s potential, invest boldly, and remain committed to solving the continent’s pressing problems, from job creation to manufacturing and energy sufficiency.
The CEOs were visibly inspired. Dr Caesar Mwangi of Strathmore Business School called the refinery “proof that Africa can dream big and deliver,” while LBS’s Prof Olayinka David-West noted its role in actualising the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Patrick Akinwuntan, the programme’s academic director, said the initiative aims to build leaders who view Africa as a borderless market with limitless potential.
As Africa grapples with youth unemployment and economic fragmentation, Dangote’s message was clear: Africa’s future lies in the hands of Africans willing to invest in bold ideas, collaborate across borders, and trust in their ability to lead the continent forward.
