The Dangote Group has reaffirmed the importance of domestic production in strengthening Nigeria’s economic resilience.
The Group stated this on Saturday through its Group General Manager, Abdullahi Bello Danmusa, who represented the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, at the Dangote Special Day of the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair, according to a statement issued on Sunday.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s Trade Fair, “Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,” Danmusa described taxation as a key component of national development.
He said the Dangote Group remained committed to meeting its tax obligations and contributed substantial revenues to the government annually, while also supporting employment, enterprise development and value creation across its operations.
Danmusa added that trade would have a greater impact on the economy when backed by strong domestic productive capacity.
“Trade becomes more meaningful when it is supported by production. No country can build lasting resilience by depending excessively on imports that it has the capacity to produce competitively at home.
“This is why Dangote Group continues to invest in manufacturing and industrial capacity across cement, sugar, salt and seasoning, packaging, fertiliser, petrochemicals and petroleum refining. The theme of this year’s Trade Fair, ‘Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy,’ speaks directly to the realities of our time.
“Nigeria’s economic resilience will ultimately depend on a fundamental choice: to continue to import what we can produce, or build the capacity to produce, compete and export,” he said.
Danmusa said strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity would help boost economic activity, create jobs, support local businesses and reduce the country’s reliance on imported products.
He added that the Group’s investments across various sectors reflected its commitment to Nigeria’s industrialisation and efforts to build a more productive and resilient economy.
Also speaking at the Dangote Special Day, the First Deputy President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prof. Adebisi Adesugba, commended Dangote Industries for its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.
Representing the President of ACCI, Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Adesugba said the longstanding partnership between Dangote and the Chamber underscored the role of responsible corporate participation in promoting commerce, investment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and across the African sub-region.
He noted that Dangote’s strategic investments in sectors such as cement, fertiliser, agriculture, refining and petrochemicals had helped strengthen domestic productive capacity, create jobs, reduce reliance on imports and support foreign exchange generation.
“ACCI recognises Dangote not only as an exhibitor and sponsor, but also as a strategic partner,” he said.
He said the partnership between ACCI and Dangote had helped create opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs while promoting trade, investment and sustainable economic development.
