If it’s America First, then it must be Africa First ~ Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, Founder and President of the Dangote Group, delivered a compelling Reflection Session at the 2025 Afreximbank Annual Meetings (#AAM2025) in Abuja, sending a powerful message to African leaders, business executives, and stakeholders across the continent. 

In a candid and deeply inspiring conversation moderated by CNN’s Eleni Giokos, Dangote offered a sharp call to action rooted in experience, vision, and urgency. Drawing on his journey building one of the world’s largest oil refineries, an ambitious project backed by Afreximbank, Dangote reflected on the realities of industrialisation in Africa and the critical importance of local investment and ownership. He urged African business leaders to stop waiting for external salvation and instead look inward for solutions, capital, and courage. 

“Africa’s future must be built by Africans,” he said, challenging the continent to embrace self-reliance and long-term planning over dependency and short-term thinking. Dangote emphasized that for Africa to thrive, governments must ensure consistent policies and significantly improve access to electricity, giving the private sector the confidence to invest and grow. 

He reminded the audience that Africa is the last economic frontier with untapped potential, stating, “The rest of the world needs us to grow.” Sharing practical examples, he spotlighted Nigeria’s transformation in the cement sector, which grew from 1.9 million to over 60 million tonnes annually, a leap achieved through local investment and clear vision. He announced plans to list his fertiliser and refinery businesses to encourage wider African participation, stimulate competition, and drive sustainable growth. “Think big, invest locally, build strong institutions,” he said, reinforcing his belief that ownership is the key to prosperity. 

Dangote also underlined the importance of robust financial institutions, noting that “if we had ten institutions like Afreximbank, we could turn Africa into heaven in the next ten years.” His message was direct: Africans are the only ones who can make Africa great, and the time to act is now. 

“If it’s America First, then it must be Africa First,” he said. With a clear call for value addition, institutional strength, and a redefined growth narrative, Dangote’s address was a defining moment at AAM2025, reminding the world that Africa doesn’t need saving. It needs ownership.