Zambia Seeks Dangote’s Assistance in Developing Fertiliser Industry
The Zambian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Chipoka Mulenga,
has sought the assistance of the President, Dangote Group, Aliko
Dangote in the development of his country’s agricultural sector.
Chipoka Mulenga, who led a delegation from Zambia on tour of the 3.00
million metric tonnes Dangote Fertiliser plant at the weekend, called
for a collaboration between Dangote Group and the Zambian government
in the establishment of fertiliser plant in the southern African
country.
Mulenga expressed belief that any investment in fertiliser production
will not only help the country to be self-sufficient in food
production, it will also help grow the Zambian economy as well as that
of the neigbouring countries.
According him, the Zambian government has created an enabling
environment for local and foreign investment through great incentives
to attract investment in all sectors of the economy.
“The Zambian government in the last budget made some pronouncements
which focus on value addition, industrialisation, skill enhancement
and development. We have a huge youthful population who are ready to
work if given the opportunity to be productive,” he said.
He described Zambia as Africa’s new investment destination because
of its stable political system, stable macroeconomic environment and
investment protection guarantees.
He said that Zambia is strong in agriculture and even seeking to
become stronger through having its own Fertiliser plant. “Rather than
continue to import Fertiliser from anywhere, we want Aliko Dangote to
come and establish plant in Zambia. The country’s fertiliser
consumption has increased tremendously in the last few years and has
continued to increase. I am happy that we no longer have to go outside
of Africa to seek investors. Dangote has been able to change the
narratives through his investment in cement production across Africa.
We now have Africans investing in the Africa continent. Dangote has
already established the biggest cement plant in Zambia. Dangote Cement
Zambia has a remarkable portfolio and is bringing positive change to
the cement industry, not only in Zambia, but also to other neigbouring
countries,” he added.
Mulenga commended the President/CE of Dangote Group, Mr. Aliko Dangote
for investing massively in fertiliser production in Nigeria. ”This
could only happen because the company put the right people, right
leadership, right technical skills and the right management in place
to have such a remarkable result. This Fertiliser Plant is not only
serving the needs of Nigeria, but also attracting foreign exchange
into the continent. This is a good demonstration that we can have this
kind of investment in any part of Africa, which can grow and be
beneficial to other countries.”
He therefore enjoined Nigerians to guard Dangote investments and other
local investments in Nigeria. “Let all Nigerians support this
investment to grow from strength to strength. This is amazing and we
will like to have a similar investment in Zambia.”
Speaking at the end of the tour, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote
Fertiliser Limited, Mr. Vishwajit Sinha said demand for Urea
fertiliser in the Nigerian market and beyond remains robust and is
expected to continue to grow.
He said the $2.5 billion fertiliser complex would make Nigeria
self-sufficient in fertiliser production with excess capacity exported
to other African countries and the rest of the world.
“The key focus of Dangote Fertiliser has always been to cater to the
growing fertiliser demand of the domestic market in Nigeria and also
to work towards bringing a green revolution in the country so as to
contribute towards food security for Nigeria. The surplus production
after supplying the domestic market is exported,” he added.
Sinha stated that Dangote Fertiliser is positioned to take advantage
of the Federal Government’s policy, which focuses on agriculture as
one of the keys to unlock the diversification of the Nigerian economy.
“As population is increasing, food consumption is changing. Many
countries’ economic progress is linked to agricultural development,
which is the best form of inclusive development. For all the countries
that I have been to, I can see the potential of agriculture in the
entire value chain from the farm to the kitchen in Nigeria.
“Dangote Fertiliser has the potential to transform the entire
African region. Definitely it will have a huge value on the
country,” he added.
Sinha described Dangote Fertiliser plant as a company which will not
only increase food-sufficiency in Nigeria, but also drastically reduce
the level of unemployment and youth restiveness in the country through
the generation of direct and indirect employment.
#Zambia Seeks Dangote’s Assistance in Developing Fertiliser Industry#
