Dangote Targets 20,000MW Power Expansion in New Industrial Push Across Africa

Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has unveiled plans to expand into the power sector with a target of generating 20,000 megawatts (MW), marking a major step in the next phase of the Dangote Group’s industrial expansion across Africa.

Dangote disclosed the plan during a high-level meeting with Maktar Diop at the headquarters of the International Finance Corporation, where he outlined his broader vision for accelerating industrialisation and economic transformation on the continent.

According to Dangote, the move into power generation is aimed at addressing Africa’s persistent electricity shortages, which he described as one of the biggest barriers to industrial growth, competitiveness, and economic development.

The proposed 20,000MW power capacity is expected to complement the group’s existing investments, including its refinery, fertiliser plants, mining operations, and infrastructure projects, creating what he described as an integrated industrial ecosystem capable of driving self-sufficiency across Africa.

“We are now going into power, 20,000 megawatts. We are building the biggest deep-sea port of 18 meters depth. We are doing LNG,” Dangote stated, adding that the company’s strong cash flow and asset base now position it to raise additional capital for expansion projects.

Although Dangote did not disclose the proposed location of the power plants or a timeline for execution, the announcement signals one of the most ambitious private-sector energy investments on the continent.

He noted that the successful stabilisation of the Dangote Refinery at approximately 650,000 barrels per day has strengthened the group’s confidence to undertake more large-scale projects. According to him, the refinery has already demonstrated the benefits of reducing dependence on imported petroleum products through domestic production.

Dangote also called for stronger regional integration across Africa, citing visa restrictions, poor transport systems, and high logistics costs as major obstacles to trade and investment.

“I need 38 visas to move around Africa. How do I invest if I cannot move freely?” he asked, criticising lengthy border delays and the high cost of intra-African transportation.

He further revealed that the group is investing heavily in fertiliser production, mining of potash and phosphate in Republic of the Congo, liquefied natural gas projects, and the construction of a major deep-sea port.

As part of efforts to deepen African participation in industrial development, Dangote announced plans to list some of the group’s major assets, including the refinery, on the stock market. He said the initiative would allow African investors to acquire stakes in the businesses and benefit from dividend payments in multiple currencies, including U.S. dollars.

He stressed that Africa’s transformation would depend largely on local private-sector investment, insisting that African entrepreneurs must lead by committing capital to the continent before expecting significant foreign investment inflows.

Dangote also identified agriculture and water infrastructure as critical sectors requiring urgent investment, particularly through irrigation systems that could improve food production, reduce poverty, and tackle insecurity across vulnerable regions.

He reiterated that his long-term objective remains building a more self-reliant Africa through industrialisation, job creation, and strategic investments in critical sectors.