Aliko Dangote is building a petroleum distribution network across Africa, with new pipelines, storage depots and supply routes.
The Dangote Industries Limited chief said the plan will improve energy security and cut supply problems on the continent.
Dangote spoke in an interview with Financial Times journalist David Pilling.
He said the group recently bought a 25% stake in Kenya's petroleum pipeline network and is developing projects linking Djibouti and Ethiopia, plus investments in Cameroon and Namibia.
Dangote, Africa’s richest man, built the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos.
“We are very aggressive with that,” he said about the depot and pipeline plans.
“Just let me tell you, yesterday, with the support from the President of Kenya, we bought 25 percent of the pipeline network for the distribution of petroleum products,” he said.
He described Namibia as a key hub because it is close to the Lagos refinery.
“From our refinery to Namibia is just about four days of steaming,” he said. Fuel will move from Namibia to Botswana and South Africa, with routes into Zimbabwe and Zambia also under review.
The expansion supports plans for a second refinery in Lamu, Kenya, with capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day.
Dangote said Lamu was chosen for its deep-water access and marine infrastructure, and the plant would buy crude from several markets.
He also called for policies that protect local manufacturers.
“Allowing imports to displace local production means we are exporting our jobs out of the continent and importing poverty into the continent,” he said.
