. Partners with ACCI on Abuja Trade Fair
As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) implementation commences, experts say the continent is in a privileged position considering the Dangote Group’s huge international investment portfolio.
Pundits say Dangote Group has positioned its subsidiaries as multinational conglomerates, which have continued to play a pivotal role in the industrialisation of Africa.
The multi-billion Naira Dangote Cement Plc, for instance, has a presence in over 10 African countries, while the newly incorporated Dangote Fertiliser and oil refinery are capable of mitigating the continent’s shortfall in foreign earnings.
The Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Ms. Victoria Akai, said the Dangote Group has been a pacesetter in manufacturing while boosting Nigeria and Africa’s earnings.
She said: “The founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is a visionary leader and has led the Group to become one of the leading brands in Africa and the world, which is a pride to every Nigerian.”
According to her, the company is one of the biggest and most strategic partners of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
The 17th Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) is scheduled to hold between September 30, and October 9, at the ACCI Abuja International Trade Fair Complex; Dangote Group is the major sponsor of this edition.
Speaking on the role of small-scale industries, Akai said with the interest in the African market, coupled with the implementation of the AfCFTA, Nigeria is in a privileged position given the role of the Dangote Group and many other big companies.
She added that Nigeria has enormous potential for export considering the number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
She said: “SMEs represent about 96 per cent of the business fabric and generate over 70% of employment while contributing to about 48% of Nigeria’s GDP, making them the engine of Nigeria’s economy and playing a vital role in the economic recovery.”
The AFCFTA, established in 2018, is a free trade area comprising most African countries as signatories, making it the largest free trade area by number and second only to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Under the agreement, parties are committed to eliminating tariffs on most goods and services, as well as eliminating other impediments to free trade. (NAN)
Dangote is passionate about developing the Nigerian economy, exporting made-in-Nigerian goods, earning foreign exchange, and creating jobs for the populace.
Partnership with ACCI
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has been described as a significant premium player as over 300 corporate exhibitors are participating in the Trade Fair, expected to be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari today.
Speaking with journalists, Akai said: “As a member of ACCI, the Dangote Group further strengthens the position of ACCI in implementing business activities and advocating for business-friendly policies.”
She said the Dangote-ACCI partnership is strategic and geared towards showcasing made-in-Nigeria products, which will help inform prospective exporters about the available opportunities and processes.
Akai said the company had been a significant sponsor of the Abuja International Trade Fair, including this year’s.
Similarly, the President of ACCI, Dr. Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, said the theme for this year’s exhibition: “Creating an Export Ready Market through SMEs Digitization,” offers a wide range of opportunities to SMEs to ginger their performance, and especially in relation to the non-oil sector.
He said: “The Abuja International Trade Fair, since its inception, has served Nigeria as a trusted global trade destination and a potential market for over 50,000 consumers.”
The Dangote Group’s Executive Director, Government and Strategic Relations, Mansur Ahmed, said the partnership with ACCI offers the company the opportunity to display its numerous innovative products while contributing its quota to the Nigerian economy through Trade Fairs and expos.
He said the President of the Group, Aliko Dangote is passionate about developing the Nigerian economy, exporting made-in-Nigerian goods, earning foreign exchange, and creating jobs for the populace.
Ahmed said the company is desirous of entering into any strategic partnership that will set Nigeria on the path of rapid growth and development.
Aside from the government, the Dangote Group is the second biggest employer of labour in Nigeria.
A statement by the Corporate Communications Department of the company said a special help desk has been set up at the Dangote pavilion to respond to queries while urging participants to leverage the numerous innovative products, which include the: Dangote Fertiliser, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Cement, Dangote Salt, and lots more.
