Participants at the 2024 Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) have been flocking to the Dangote Group pavilion to inquire about the company and its advanced oil refinery, which has recently begun distributing petroleum products.
The Dangote Group is a key sponsor of the 19th Trade Fair organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Numerous attendees were observed exploring the company’s various business divisions, including Dangote Fertiliser, Dangote Sugar, NASCON (Dangote Salt), and Dangote Cement.
Peter Ibrahim, a participant and block moulder, shared with reporters, “I am visiting the Dangote booth to learn about the business and employment opportunities available at the Dangote Refinery. We believe the company has created numerous prospects.”
Similarly, cement dealer Sale Sagir remarked, “To be honest, I came to this Trade Fair primarily because of the Dangote Group. While I sell cement, I am here to discover what it takes to distribute other products, particularly Dangote Petroleum products.”
This year’s Trade Fair theme is “Mobility Options for Transportation, Trade Financing, and Taxation.”
During the company’s Special Day, Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, Senior Adviser to the Group President on Special Projects and Strategic Relations, stated that the Dangote Group has played a significant role in enhancing the Nigerian economy through transportation, trade financing, and taxation.
She added, “Additionally, during the construction of the Dangote Refinery, we had to build a jetty in the Lekki Free Zone to accommodate our bulk cargoes, including one of the two largest cranes in the world that we imported during the construction phase.”
We are currently exporting our products to several African nations via the same port. Additionally, we aim to alleviate road congestion caused by the Refinery by shipping finished petroleum products to various ports along the Nigerian coastline for further distribution inland.
The company is also making significant investments in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
“To minimize our carbon footprint and reduce expenses, we have converted approximately one-third of our fleet over the past ten years. This conversion process is ongoing until the entire fleet is updated,” she stated.
Furthermore, she mentioned that the company is making substantial investments in the agricultural sector, promising that its products will soon be available in the market.
During the Special Day event, Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the ACCI, referred to the Dangote Group as a key driver of Nigeria’s industrial growth.
Represented by Aisha Ado Abdullahi, ACCI Vice President Legal, Chief Obegolu praised the company for its steadfast dedication to Nigeria’s progress.
He noted, “The taxes contributed by the Group have played a crucial role in enhancing national revenue, supporting infrastructure initiatives, and funding social programs that benefit millions of Nigerians.”