Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is deepening his footprint on the continent, with Burundi emerging as the latest investment destination for the Dangote Group.
The Nigerian industrialist, accompanied by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, recently paid a high-level visit to Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye to explore new economic partnerships. The visit went beyond diplomacy. It opened talks on cement production, power generation, agriculture, solid minerals, and infrastructure development.
According to Dangote, the engagement marked his first official visit to Burundi and laid the foundation for long-term collaboration.
“The visit had two parts. First was a courtesy call, and then a very detailed economic discussion,” Dangote said during a briefing.
Turning Talks Into Bankable Projects
Following the meeting, both parties agreed to form joint technical teams. One team will come from the Burundian government, while the other will represent the Dangote Group. Their task is clear: identify viable sectors and convert discussions into bankable investment projects.
Importantly, Dangote stressed that Burundi holds untapped potential across several industries.
“There are strong opportunities in power, agriculture, cement, solid minerals, and infrastructure,” he noted.
The billionaire emphasized that the partnership would focus on mutual economic growth, job creation, and industrial expansion.
Dangote’s Africa-First Investment Vision
Beyond Burundi, the Dangote Group continues to pursue a strict Africa-only investment strategy. Dangote reaffirmed that his conglomerate has no plans to invest outside the continent.
“Our focus is investing heavily in Africa, and nowhere else,” he stated.
This strategy already spans multiple regions, including West, Central, and East Africa, positioning the group as a key driver of continental industrialization.
Ghana, Cameroon Also in Focus
Meanwhile, Dangote’s influence continues to expand westward.
In Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, recently disclosed that the country plans to import refined fuel from the Dangote refinery. Ghana’s local refining capacity remains limited, making imports necessary to stabilize supply.
At the same time, Cameroon’s state-owned refinery, Sonara, has entered discussions with the Dangote Group. The talks aim to restart operations halted since a devastating fire in 2019.
Sonara confirmed that the engagement seeks to establish long-term technical and commercial cooperation. The goal is to improve fuel security, meet domestic demand, and strengthen energy independence.
Sonara’s $524 Million Recovery Plan
Under its “Parras 24” recovery strategy, Sonara plans to resume refining within 24 months. The project carries an estimated cost of CFA291.9 billion ($524 million).
As part of the plan, Sonara is negotiating fuel supply agreements with the Dangote refinery. The company is also exploring the possibility of securing financing from the Dangote Group to support rehabilitation efforts.
If successful, the partnership could reshape Cameroon’s energy landscape.
