In a candid and compelling address, Aliko Dangote, Africa’s wealthiest man and industrial powerhouse, laid bare the often-ignored truth about Nigeria’s investment landscape: “Without local investors, forget foreign ones.”
Speaking at the Taraba International Investment Summit, Dangote called on both federal and state governments to stop looking outward and start building inward. His message? Support your own first — or risk scaring off the very investors you’re chasing.
“If you don’t invite local investors to come and invest, no foreigner will come and invest,” Dangote warned. “Foreigners are attracted only when they see prospects for investment. Once they see that things are flowing, you don’t have to invite them. They will come.”
Who’s Really Earning from Nigerian Businesses?
Dangote, known for his cement empire that stretches across Africa, didn’t hold back when discussing the fiscal dynamics between big business and government.
“For every N1 we make at Dangote Cement, 52 kobo goes to the Federal Government,” he disclosed. “They actually earn more from our business than even we do — and that’s fine. That’s the benefit of supporting enterprise.”
He emphasized that tax compliance and transparency should go hand-in-hand with government facilitation. Encourage businesses, give them a chance to grow — and they will pay it forward through taxes and jobs.
Taraba’s Untapped Potential: “It’s Home”
Praising Governor Agbu Kefas for organizing the summit, Dangote said Taraba State had all the right ingredients for explosive economic growth: rich soil, natural resources, and a youthful population.
“This is home. We’re not just saying it — we will invest in Taraba State,” Dangote vowed. “We’ll keep creating jobs. We’re not going anywhere else.”
His pledge adds a significant boost to the summit’s goal of positioning Taraba as a serious player in Nigeria’s development game.
Elumelu Aligns: UBA to Back Taraba
Echoing Dangote’s sentiments, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), also announced UBA’s readiness to invest in Taraba, reinforcing the message that true development starts from within.
“This summit isn’t just talk — it’s a signal that Taraba is open for business,” Elumelu said.
Final Word: Invest in Nigerians Before the World Believes in Nigeria
In an era where countries battle for investor attention, Dangote and Elumelu are drawing the line clearly: Nigeria must fix its home game before expecting a seat at the global investment table.
The summit in Jalingo wasn’t just another PR event — it was a call for a domestic investment revolution.
📌 Will Nigeria answer the call, or continue chasing shadows abroad while neglecting the seeds of growth at home? Updates will follow as the pledges turn into policy — or don’t.
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