Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has set his sights on potential investments in Namibia’s oil, gas, and phosphate industries, as part of his company’s broader ambitions to expand across the continent.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House in Windhoek on Thursday, Dangote said Namibia presents attractive opportunities in the energy and fertiliser sectors.
“We built a refinery with a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. In addition, we produce carbon black, LPG, and sulphate chips. Our fertiliser plant has a capacity of over 3 million tonnes, making it the second largest in the world in terms of output,” Dangote said.
He added that his company, the Dangote Group, is actively looking for phosphate resources in other African countries to grow its fertiliser production and develop related value chains.
“We are also exploring opportunities in other African countries with phosphate resources to expand fertiliser production and related value chains,” he said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah welcomed Dangote’s visit as a meaningful gesture and a potential catalyst for Namibia’s economic growth, particularly through intra-African investment.
“Meeting successful African entrepreneurs like yourself serves as a true inspiration for young Africans to play their part in the continent’s development. You are most welcome, and I’m glad you have finally made it, as promised. Please consider Namibia your home away from home,” she said.
Dangote’s visit comes as Nandi-Ndaitwah continues to push for the establishment of an oil refinery in Namibia, an idea she first proposed at the Namibia International Energy Conference in April this year.
At the time, she said the planned refinery would help the country unlock greater value from its oil and gas discoveries and ensure broader participation by Namibians in the sector.
As part of her regional drive, the President recently held talks with Botswana’s President Boko Duma and Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema to explore the possibility of collaborating on a cross-border oil refinery that would serve southern Africa. This follows earlier engagements with Angola on similar discussions.
The Dangote Group, founded by Aliko Dangote, is West Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate. The company operates across a range of sectors, with a strong presence in cement production, oil refining, fertiliser, and logistics. It is considered a major player in Africa’s energy and manufacturing industries.
