By Semafor Africa
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote vowed to push his $20 billion oil refinery in Nigeria toward full operational capacity, despite what he said were challenges from oil importers seeking to undermine his venture to retain their dominance in the country’s energy sector.
The billionaire’s 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lagos state has faced several challenges since it began rolling out petrol to Nigerians in September, struggling even to obtain local crude oil — despite Nigeria being Africa’s top crude oil producer.
Dangote, speaking on Thursday at a conference of private equity investors in Lagos, renewed his criticism of groups who “for a very, very long time” have “made a lot of money from” government-subsidized oil imports into Nigeria. Those groups are opposed to his refinery operating easily, Dangote claimed.
“We’re fighting and the fight is not yet finished,” he said. “But I have been fighting all my life and I am ready and hundred percent sure I will win at the end of the day.”
— Alexander
