Dangote Reaffirms Industrial Expansion, MSME Support at Enugu International Trade Fair

Dangote Reaffirms Industrial Expansion, MSME Support at Enugu International Trade Fair

The Dangote Group has reiterated its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capacity and empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as it outlined ambitious expansion plans at the ongoing 37th Enugu International Trade Fair.

The Dangote Group has restated its dedication to driving industrial growth and supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic development.

Speaking at the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), the South East Regional Director of Dangote Cement, Olatunbosun Jinadu, described MSMEs as critical to both local and global economies, despite facing persistent challenges.

Jinadu identified key constraints affecting MSMEs, including high energy costs, expensive raw materials, and inadequate infrastructure, noting that addressing these issues is essential to enhancing their competitiveness.

He said the theme of the fair, “Empowering MSMEs for Global Competitiveness,” underscores the need to strengthen small businesses beyond mere product exhibitions, positioning them as vital drivers of economic growth.

According to him, the Group’s long-term strategic roadmap, Vision 2030, is designed to tackle many of these challenges, particularly in the areas of energy supply and feedstock availability.

Jinadu disclosed that Dangote’s expansion plans include scaling up the capacity of its refinery from 650,000 to 1.4 million barrels per day, increasing fertiliser production to 12 million metric tonnes annually, and boosting output at its polypropylene plant.

He explained that polypropylene plays a crucial role in manufacturing, especially for MSMEs, due to its wide applications in packaging, textiles, and industrial materials. Increased local availability, he noted, would significantly reduce production costs and ease operational constraints for small businesses.

“Nigeria’s economic transformation must be anchored on local production and industrial self-reliance. Dangote Group is committed to expanding capacity in line with this vision and translating it into tangible economic outcomes,” Jinadu said.

He also encouraged stakeholders and business owners to explore partnership opportunities with Dangote’s various business units during the trade fair.

In his remarks, ECCIMA President, Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, commended the Dangote Group for its sustained contributions to Nigeria’s economic growth and industrialisation.

Onyemelukwe noted that the conglomerate’s operations span multiple sectors and have created thousands of jobs across Africa, with Nigerians accounting for the majority of its workforce.

He described the Dangote Group as a symbol of innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial excellence, adding that its continued expansion reflects a strong vision and commitment to economic transformation both within Nigeria and across the continent.