Nigeria 2.0 loading: “We have enough gasoline to give to at least the entire West Africa, diesel to give to West Africa and Central Africa. We have enough aviation fuel to give to the entire continent and also export some to Brazil and Mexico,…

“As I said, give us three or a maximum of four years and Africa will not, I repeat, not import any more fertilizer from anywhere. We will make Africa self-sufficient in both potash, phosphate, and urea, we are at three million tonnes and in the next twenty months, we will be at six million tonnes of urea which is the entire capacity of Egypt. We are getting there,” Aliko Dangote on Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals

Nigeria should make sure Dangote Refinery has crude oil. If that happens, there is a possibility for the nation to compound the value from this refinery. Indeed, this company should not be importing crude oil. Nigeria is lucky to have Dangote because when great entrepreneurs emerge, nations rise. Aliko Dangote is serving his nation.

Alhaji, I am making it public: when you think it is necessary to select investment bankers/underwriters to take Dangote Refinery public, Tekedia Capital will take $3 million worth before the IPO day. We’re ready and would like to invest into the discount window of investment banks/underwriters. This is the decision of members of Tekedia Capital Syndicate.

We have enough fuel to give to at least the entire West Africa, Brazil and Mexico – Dangote

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, has assured that Nigeria will no longer need to import gasoline from next month, following the operational plans of the Dangote Refinery. The refinery, which began commissioning in February, is expected to meet not only Nigeria’s fuel needs but also those of the wider African market.

Speaking at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dangote highlighted the refinery’s capacity to supply West Africa’s petrol and diesel needs and the entire continent’s aviation fuel demand.

“We have enough gasoline to give to at least the entire West Africa, diesel to give to West Africa and Central Africa. We have enough aviation fuel to give to the entire continent and also export some to Brazil and Mexico,” Dangote stated.

The refinery’s output will also include polypropylene and polyethylene, essential for various industrial applications, as well as base oil and linear benzyl, key raw materials for producing detergents. Dangote said that Africa currently imports these materials, and his refinery aims to make the continent self-sufficient in their production.

The entrepreneur also outlined his vision for Africa’s self-sufficiency in fertilizers, with plans to double the production of urea to six million tonnes within twenty months. This capacity will match Egypt’s entire output, positioning Africa to stop importing fertilizers entirely.

“As I said, give us three or a maximum of four years and Africa will not, I repeat, not import any more fertilizer from anywhere. We will make Africa self-sufficient in both potash, phosphate, and urea, we are at three million tonnes and in the next twenty months, we will be at six million tonnes of urea which is the entire capacity of Egypt. We are getting there,” he said.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The Dangote Refinery is expected to have a substantial impact on Nigeria’s and Africa’s economies by reducing reliance on imported petroleum products, creating jobs, and fostering industrial growth. Dangote highlighted the strategic importance of producing finished products locally to avoid exporting jobs and importing poverty.

“One of the things we also need to know as Africans is that we produce raw materials and export them, when you export raw materials and somebody now keeps importing things into your continent and dumping goods. What you are importing is poverty and exporting jobs out. So, we have to change that narrative,” he explained.

Amidst the progress were behind-the-scene challenges faced in building the refinery. Dangote acknowledged these challenges, particularly opposition from those accustomed to the status quo of trading without refining.

“The pushback was very impactful because there are people who have actually been used to just making money trading without refinery and you know, to get people who are committed to Africa has to be people that believe in investing in Africa because the companies that are operating today are actually not investing, and some of the issues of stopping that investment is going to impact us, not today but in the future, which means our oil production will continue to go down because in oil, unless you keep investing, the production is going to go down.

“So, that is the issue. The major burden on us was that there is no room for failure because we were the EPC contractors and ninety percent of people never believed that we were going to deliver but we have been able to deliver now,” he said.

Despite the successes, Dangote identified policy inconsistency as a significant hurdle for African entrepreneurs and called for supportive measures from leaders to ensure a conducive business environment.

Collaboration with TotalEnergies

In a related development, Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies, announced a deal to supply crude oil to the Dangote Refinery. This partnership with one of Nigeria’s major crude producers, alongside Shell and ExxonMobil, is expected to address the concern of crude oil supplies to the refinery.

“The two CEOs met with our head of trading and we found the way to convince them to make a deal,” Pouyanne said.

Looking ahead, Dangote revealed that the next phase of the refinery’s expansion would begin early next year, further enhancing its capacity and impact on the African market.

While the Dangote Refinery represents a transformative project for Nigeria and Africa, aiming to make the continent self-sufficient in key industrial products and significantly reduce its dependency on imports, the major concern of consumers hinges on the cost.

With the cost of petroleum hitting the roof across West Africa, given the earning power of consumers, hope has been entertained that Dangote Refinery will bring a reprieve by cutting down the pump price of petroleum – especially in Nigeria where the government is still paying subsidies. However, challenges in the Nigerian oil sector, which currently limits oil production to barely 1.281mbd – forcing the refinery to source crude from the US, have cast a shadow on that hope.

Consumers can only wait and see whether there will be a favorable difference when the refinery begins to function at full capacity. Since its product costs are expected to reflect international prices, the cost impact on local markets remains uncertain.

Politicians: no permanent enemy, no permanent friend, but permanent interest. So, the statement by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that he would offer conditional support for Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, for the Nigerian  presidency in 2027, is loaded with many variables.

The ex-VP noted that his support is contingent on the PDP’s decision to select a candidate from the South-East region, indicating a potential alliance between the two political figures.

Here is my take: what Nigeria needs is a FREE and FAIR election. Without those, the nation is lost. The legitimacy to lead, and mobilize citizens, towards a national grand vision are things no PR consultant can fix, if broken due to severely imperfect elections.

Good People, the electoral system must make people #believe that they have the capacity to choose their leaders. That is the most important national project for Nigeria right now. On what Atiku and Obi plan to do, that is part of politics. But what Nigeria needs and wants is clear: an electoral system that is evidently FAIR, FREE and CREDIBLE. If that happens, more people will be attracted to go into politics.

https://x.com/ndekekwe/status/1791856578380849526

Humanitarian aid is a critical component in the response to crises and conflicts around the world. It is guided by principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These principles are essential to ensure that aid reaches those in need without discrimination and without being affected by political agendas. These organizations are often the first responders in the wake of natural disasters, conflicts, and other emergencies, working tirelessly to ensure that aid reaches those in need.

Humanity dictates that human suffering must be addressed wherever it is found, with particular attention to the most vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and the sick. Neutrality means that aid must not favor any side in an armed conflict or other disputes. Impartiality ensures that aid is given based solely on need, without discrimination. Independence is crucial for aid organizations to operate free from political, economic, or military objectives.

Here are some examples of prominent humanitarian aid organizations that have made significant impacts globally:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): With a global presence in 192 national societies, the IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network. The organization aids approximately 160 million people annually, providing essentials like water, food, and medical supplies. It is actively involved in disaster relief, health training, and assistance in conflict zones.

The World Health Organization (WHO): As an agency of the United Nations, the WHO monitors global health and coordinates international responses. It operates across six regions with over 150 offices, preparing for health emergencies, developing health tools, responding to emergencies, and supporting supply delivery.

UNICEF: Operating in over 190 countries, UNICEF focuses on the needs of children, with programs in childhood nutrition, safe water, education, and more. It works in both humanitarian and development aid and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1965.

AmeriCares: Present in 164 countries, AmeriCares responds to emergencies with medical supplies and clinical services. It also runs health programs through more than 4,000 health centers globally and operates free clinics in Connecticut for uninsured individuals.

Save the Children: Founded in 1919, Save the Children is one of the oldest and largest humanitarian NGOs, focusing on programs for children in disaster response, nutrition, health, shelter, and education, with a presence in over 117 countries.

The provision of humanitarian aid in conflict zones is often fraught with challenges. Access to affected areas can be hindered by fighting, blockades, or bureaucratic obstacles. Aid workers themselves can become targets of violence, and aid convoys may be attacked or looted. Despite these challenges, humanitarian organizations strive to deliver aid and alleviate suffering in even the most dangerous and complex environments.

The international community has a responsibility to support these efforts and to uphold international laws that protect the delivery of humanitarian aid. When aid is obstructed, it is not just a violation of these laws; it represents a failure to uphold our collective humanity.

In times of conflict, the role of humanitarian aid becomes even more vital. It is a beacon of hope and solidarity, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there are those who are committed to helping others, regardless of the risks or challenges involved. It is this spirit of common humanity that drives the provision of aid and underscores its importance in building a more peaceful and compassionate world.