Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is facing mounting criticism from Nigerians questioning the fairness of his business empire.
With a total of 15,200 tweets at the time of this report, Dangote Group’s leader has come under public scrutiny for the reported disparities in the prices of his cement products across Africa.
According to X (formerly Twitter) discussions, there are claims that the billionaire offers cement to other African nations at a more reasonable cost.
A user on the X platform, Nefertiti, pointed out that despite Dangote Cement’s production in Nigeria, it fails to offer the product at an affordable rate, prompting contractors to resort to importing it.
- “Dangote Cement is more expensive than imported cement, & you have all the raw materials in Nigeria. Contractors prefer imported cement, but cement import is banned in Nigeria. You must use Dangote by force. This is for those waiting to buy cheap petrol from the Dangote Refinery.”
https://twitter.com/firstladyship/status/1695090337398817209?s=20
Another user, Abdullahayofel, emphasized that the cement company enjoys access to raw materials at minimal costs, giving it a competitive edge.
- “Dangote cement is produced in Nigeria, The raw material is sourced locally in Nigeria at almost zero cost. Nothing is imported. Almost zero taxes yet the price of cement is 5,200 Naira in Nigeria and the same is sold in the Benin Republic at 3,699.15 Naira.
Dangote cement is produced in Nigeria, The raw material is sourced locally in Nigeria at almost zero cost. Nothing is imported.
Almost zero taxes yet the price of cement is 5,200 Naira in Nigeria and same is sold in Benin Republic at 3,699.15 Naira.
— A. Ayofe (@abdullahayofel) August 25, 2023
Kelvin Odanz added his voice, supporting the notion that contractors prefer imports due to the high local prices of the billionaire’s cement company.
- “Apparently cement imported from abroad is cheaper than the one our sugar daddy and his clique produces in Nigeria. Contractors prefer importing it This is for those of you who think our sugar daddy’s refinery will help bring down the cost of fuel when finally completed. LOL for you”
Apparently cement imported from abroad is cheaper than the one our sugar daddy and his clique produces in Nigeria. Contractors prefer importing it
This is for those of you who think our sugar daddy's refinery will help bring down cost of fuel when finally completed. LOL for you
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) August 25, 2023
Captain Tango stated that Dangote relies on government support to drive the success of his business.
- “Dangote is not the smartest politician, what he enjoys is government patronage thereby granting him crazy tax breaks and monopoly over the market. If INNOSON Motors or other businessmen have the same privileges he enjoys it will be good for all or throw the cement market open.
Dangote is not the smartest politician, what he enjoys is the government patronage thereby granting him crazy tax breaks and monopoly over the market.
If INNOSON motors or other business men have the same privileges he enjoys it will be good for all or throw throw the cement…
— Captain Tango 👨🏾✈️⚓️ (@Capolutiti) August 25, 2023
A user, Priste added that the lack of a level playing field in the country has resulted in cement market monopolization
- “The issue is basically the lack of a level playing ground. Using the government to stifle other competitors is what has gotten us to this level of monopoly. This same dangote cement is cheaper in other West African countries.”
The issue is basically the lack of a level playing ground. Using the government to stifle other competitors is what has gotten us to this level of monopoly.
This same dangote cement is cheaper in other west African countries.
— G E (@priste_) August 25, 2023
Well it’s quite unfortunate ,when we talk about level playing ground for economic activities to thrive ,some rogue politicians in conives with Crook Dangote
are working tirelessly to scundle those simple measures ,A country like Nigeria , Monopoly should be the least any government can tolerate,talkless of all sponsoring ..well we are handicapped,we just wail and move ,quite unfortunate though
Aluko Dangote, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, being the richest man in Africa, has been based on taking undue advantage of the corruption in Nigeria which has granted his company the needed monopoly to all his business activities.
It’s so pathetic that this evil exploitation has long been permitted by the government against the citizens of Nigeria. Also, it’s well known that Aluko Dangote doesn’t accept other Nigerian business owners to venture into his line of businesses which in all ramifications unacceptable in sane countries. I hope Nigerians should rise and say big no to this evil monopoly by Aluko Dangote and his group of companies.
It’s quite strange when I hear that Dangote has monopoly in the cement industry.
As far as my memory can recall, we have the following cement companies in Nigeria
1. Dangote Cement
2. Ibeto Cement
3. Larfarge Cement
4. Atlas Cement
5. BUA cement
6. Cement company of Northern Nigeria.
Did dangote asked the rest to not sell their product?
Why was Ibeto’s import license seized if not for the sole purpose of Monopolizing the Nation
@Tim, the better question is why Ibeto’s kinsmen will not let him take control of Nkalagu Cement which was privatized at the same time as Gboko (Dangote), Sokoto (BUA), Bendel (BUA), Calabar (Holcim/UNICEM consortium)?
Meanwhile, the same Ibeto was the only one still importing bulk cement into Nigeria (which it bagged at its PH bagging plant) cement into Nigeria long after his counterparts (BUA and Dangote) moved from importation to manufacturing.
@John C, don’t mind them. Most Nigerians detest success and celebrate failures (look at the failed politicians they repeatedly reinstall in office).
The world’s BIGGEST cement producers (Blue Circle, Holcim, LaFarge, Heidelberg, Scancem, etc.) have operated in Nigeria since the 1950s/60s and yet Nigeria remained the world’s second largest importer of cement until the advent of Dangote and BUA Cement.
In most underdeveloped and corrupt countries of the world to which Nigeria belongs, it’s very rare for an individual to build a multinational-level company or conglomerate without major support from the government and the ruling class. However, if his cement truly is cheaper in poor neighboring countries, then I suspect it may be the usual Nigerian factor which is always targeted at mass exploitation to enrich a few, that is at play here.
some people just like to trade. if you think you can make cement healer, manufacture it here in Nigeria. why import, imports. Let’s appreciate people who do the heavy lifting by producing things in Nigeria. imagine the FX requirements for that import.
If all this allegations are true I believed The billionaire needs to answer some questions. Where is our price regulations policy?
You think it is cheaper to build your own power plant and supply your own electricity in Nigeria, build your own roads, providing housing, education, hospitals, etc., for your host communities and staff as a manufacturer in Nigeria, than to simply import finished goods?! SMH
So many Nigerians detest successful people while elevating failures (just look at the politicians they idolize and worship).
Nigeria used to be the WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST IMPORTER OF CEMENT (reportedly only behind the USA), with cement imports clogging up our ports (and aptly described by The Economist magazine as “The Great Cement Armada of Lagos”) and gobbling up BILLIONS of dollars in foreign currency, until Dangote and BUA turned Nigeria from a dependent importer to an independent exporting nation – saving billions in forex, earning millions in forex, and creating THOUSANDS OF JOBS IN NIGERIA FOR NIGERIANS!