Founder and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has reaffirmed the need for local capital mobilisation and scalable domestic systems to drive sustainable economic growth across Africa.
Speaking at the 2025 African Private Capital Association (AVCA) Conference held in Lagos, Dangote addressed a gathering of global investors, fund managers, policymakers and business leaders under the theme “Bold Moves: Powering 10x in Africa.”
He called for a renewed focus on African-led investment frameworks that prioritise long-term growth, job creation and industrial self-reliance.
“If we want to build lasting prosperity in Africa, we must look inward, attract African capital, invest in our youth, talent and industries, and design systems that scale locally,” Dangote said during a keynote session.
He emphasised that Africa’s dependency on short-term capital inflows and foreign-led solutions has constrained economic progress.
According to him, the continent must now shift toward building local capital structures and industrial capacities that can withstand global shocks and drive inclusive development.
Dangote’s position was supported by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, who underscored the federal government’s commitment to transforming policy into performance.
She said Nigeria remains focused on creating an enabling environment for private capital to thrive across critical sectors.
“Nigeria is offering a platform of a $3.4 trillion economy. We are hosting the private capital ecosystem in Lagos to send a clear message that Africa is open for business on new terms,” Oduwole stated.
The minister outlined key policy directions aimed at boosting private sector growth, diversifying exit strategies and strengthening Nigeria’s capital markets.
She said current reforms are aligned with a broader African industrialisation agenda, particularly in manufacturing, infrastructure and technology.
AVCA Week also featured high-level contributions from institutional leaders driving private capital deployment across the continent.
Dave Uduanu, Managing Director of Access ARM Pensions, revealed plans to deploy $500 million into pan-African investments over the next five years.
He said Nigerian pension funds are exploring cross-border opportunities in sectors such as power, transport and digital infrastructure.
“We are looking to pool resources with other pension funds to create pan-African investment vehicles. We particularly like power where the gap is significant and we are not worried about currency — you can make money in any currency if the fundamentals are right,” Uduanu said.
Other speakers, including Papa Demba Diallo of Africa50 and Chinua Azubike of InfraCredit, stressed the importance of developing bankable and scalable investment pipelines that align with both public and private sector mandates.
They highlighted the role of blended finance and regulatory clarity in crowding in long-term capital for infrastructure development.
Former Minister of Industry and current Chairman of African Capital Alliance, Okey Enelamah, noted the steady maturation of Nigeria’s private equity landscape and the growing role of local institutions in shaping the investment climate.
The 2025 AVCA Conference concluded with a unified message on the need for African investors to take the lead in financing the continent’s future, leveraging indigenous resources and expertise to build resilient economies.
With over 60 percent of Africa’s population under the age of 25 and infrastructure needs exceeding $100 billion annually, Dangote reiterated that Africa’s economic transformation requires bold action anchored on local capital mobilisation and scalable systems.
He added that industrialisation, value chain integration and strategic public-private partnerships must remain at the core of the continent’s growth trajectory.
