President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, and the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, have called on Africans to leverage internal strengths and global opportunities to fill existing gaps and adopt a deliberate re-orientation toward industrialisation of Africa’s manufacturing sector as a panacea to the current global economic instability.
Dangote, who noted that the current geopolitical tensions and trade wars had caused major economies to reevaluate their traditional trade partnerships with a view to diversifying supply chains, also urged African exporters to benefit from the process by competitively supplying required products.
His recommendations were contained in his welcome address at the company’s Special Day at the ongoing 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) in Algiers, Algeria, where he was represented by his Special Adviser and Representative, Ahmed Mansur.
According to him, “this year’s theme, ‘Gateway to New Opportunities,’ resonates deeply as a powerful reminder of the huge potential and prospects that abound across the African continent. For too long, Africa’s resources have been exported as primary commodities in their raw and unrefined state with limited domestic processing or beneficiation.
He observed that current global instability had encouraged African nations to look inward and actively pursue greater regional self-reliance, stressing that such an inward focus could catalyse the development of robust regional value chains and significantly deepen intra-African trade.
ALSO at the trade fair, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, reiterated his commitment to driving economic development by leveraging international platforms to attract massive investment into the state.
He noted that his presence at the event was not merely symbolic, but part of a deliberate effort to change the economic narrative of Zamfara State by seeking credible, long-term investors willing to partner with the state on transformative projects.
He said Zamfara was already implementing various development initiatives, and the next critical step was to attract the funding and expertise required to scale these efforts.
According to him, Zamfara is open for business, with strategic projects currently underway in key sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and particularly mining, an area where the state holds a significant comparative advantage.
Lawal explained that the Intra-African Trade Fair serves as a powerful platform not just for countries, but also for subnational entities like Zamfara, to showcase their investment potential and forge cross-border partnerships. He expressed optimism that by showcasing these opportunities, Zamfara could secure meaningful partnerships and funding to boost development.
