The president of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has asked Nigeria to do more to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.
In a statement, Africa’s richest man who is also a Nigerian said his country “has one of the largest domestic markets with a population of over 200million people,” something he thinks should propel its growth.
Dangote suggested that Nigeria needs “to drive sustainable and inclusive growth through industrialization, economic diversification and import substitution, creating jobs and driving economic prosperity.”
Last month Dangote also reportedly backed Nigeria’s decision to close its borders with West African neighbours.
Nigeria has one of the largest domestic markets with a population of over 200million people. We need to drive sustainable and inclusive growth through industrialization, economic diversification and import substitution, creating jobs and driving economic prosperity.
— Aliko Dangote (@AlikoDangote) March 13, 2020
Since last year, the West African giant closed its border with Benin, Niger and Cameroon arguing that the decision is in the country’s national interest.
Nigerian officials said the move was to increase local agricultural production, curb influx or substandard goods and prevent the smuggling of weapons and other vices into the country.
But the decision has had devastating effects on neighbouring countries whose traders are counting losses as truckloads of produce remain locked up at the border.
Although Nigeria promised to review the move at the end of January, it is still yet to signal any willingness to open the borders.
Source: Africafeeds.com
