Dangote Pushes Industrial Growth, MSME Support at Enugu Int’l Trade Fair
Dangote Group has restated its commitment to boosting Nigeria’s industrial capacity and supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Speaking in Enugu at the 37th International Trade Fair organised by Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, the South East Regional Director of Dangote Cement, Olatunbosun Jinadu, said MSMEs remain vital to economic growth but face challenges such as high energy costs, expensive raw materials, and poor infrastructure.
He explained that the Group’s long-term strategy focuses on industrial expansion and investments aimed at strengthening Africa’s self-sufficiency in key sectors. Plans include increasing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day, scaling fertiliser production to 12 million metric tonnes annually, and boosting output at its polypropylene plant.
“Nigeria’s economic transformation must be anchored on local production and industrial self-reliance.
“Dangote Refinery remains a flagship project driving local content development through job creation, skills transfer, and the engagement of Nigerian professionals.
“The theme Empowering MSMEs for Global Competitiveness shows that the fair is not just an exhibition of products, but a clarion call to strengthen the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, which form the backbone of local and global economies.
“Today we have many of them as exhibitors in this Fair.
“There are several factors militating against the competitiveness of Nigerian MSMEs in the global market. The sheer cost of factors of production such as energy, raw materials/feedstock, and infrastructure remains a major obstacle to the growth of the MSMEs,” Jinadu said.
Jinadu encouraged stakeholders to explore partnership opportunities with Dangote’s business units at the fair.
In his remarks, ECCIMA President, Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, praised the Group’s continued support, noting its five-year sponsorship of the trade fair. He also called for increased investment in the South East and expressed hope that the refinery project would ease fuel scarcity and reduce petroleum prices in Nigeria.
“We are indeed happy that Dangote Plc has been part of our success story.
“The refinery should give Nigerians hope by addressing the rising cost of refined petroleum products,” he said.
