Dangote Industries Sales Director Identifies Industrialisation as Key to Economic Diversification
The Pan-African conglomerate, the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has emphasised the crucial role of industrialisaation in diversifying the economy.
Regional Sales Director, Lagos/ Ogun Dangote Cement PLC, Mr. Tunde Mabogunje, made this remark at the13th Gateway International Trade Fair at the M.K.O Abiola Trade Fair Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
Speaking during Dangote Special Day at the Fair, Mabogunje highlighted the company's commitment to manufacturing goods domestically, utilising Nigeria's abundant raw materials.
He noted that the theme of the Trade Fair, "Achieving Economic Prosperity Through Business Connection, Trade and Investment" resonates with Dangote Group as it is focused on manufacturing of goods rather than importation thus making use of the abundant raw materials in Nigeria.
He added, "Today, through our vast investment across many sectors, we are adding value to the raw materials and transforming the same into finished products. In these sectors, we are creating linkages that connect the whole economy while at the same time promote backward integration. We believe that industrialisation is key to diversification of the economy."
Mabogunje, who underscored the company's focus on creating linkages that connect the entire economy and promote backward integration, stressed that DIL was a regular participant at major trade fairs across the country, as one of the means of demonstrating its belief that Chambers of Commerce & Industry occupy a unique position in driving economic development through their activities.
He stressed that DIL is the nation's foremost indigenous Pan-African conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, salt, poly products, real estate, agriculture, logistics, telecommunications, steel, oil and gas among others.
Mabogunje, who said through these subsidiaries and others, the Group has been able to provide jobs for thousands of Nigerians, stressed that the company's target is to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in all the sectors it operates in.
"Our food subsidiaries, Dangote Sugar Refinery, NASCON Allied Industries (Dangote Salt) and Dangote Rice are providing jobs through various schemes. Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower and backward integration schemes has provided jobs to thousands of farmers in the host communities.