The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has ordered over 1,000 CNG tractors and semi-trailers from Chinese automaker BAIC FOTON to strengthen the group’s logistics operations.
The disclosure was contained in a statement published on BAIC FOTON’s official website on Monday, March 2, 2026.
The order, formalised during a strategic meeting in Beijing, marks a significant expansion of Dangote Group’s fleet as it moves to deploy compressed natural gas-powered vehicles across its operations in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
What they are saying
According to the statement, the signed logistics transport project involves an order of over 1,000 vehicles, including CNG tractors and semi-trailers. The vehicles are expected to significantly support Dangote Group’s logistics operations in Nigeria and across Africa, providing reliable transport capacity for infrastructure development and the delivery of essential services.
The statement noted that Dangote led a delegation to Beijing on February 25 for strategic talks with the management of BAIC FOTON.
The meeting was attended by Chang Rui, General Manager of BAIC Group and Chairman of BAIC FOTON; Lu Zhenghua, Executive Vice President of BAIC FOTON; and Fu Jun, Vice President of BAIC FOTON and President of BAIC FOTON International.
- “On February 25, Aliko Dangote, President of the Nigeria-based Dangote Group, led a delegation to Beijing for strategic talks with the management of BAIC FOTON,” the statement read in part.
- “After the talks, a vehicle delivery ceremony was held, marking a new phase in the cooperation between BAIC FOTON and Dangote Group. The signed logistics transport project involves an order of over 1,000 vehicles, including CNG tractors and semi-trailers. These vehicles will significantly support Dangote Group’s logistics operations in Nigeria and across Africa, providing reliable transport capacity for local infrastructure development and the delivery of essential services.”
Chang Rui commended the Dangote Group’s contribution to Africa’s industrialisation, while Fu Jun highlighted BAIC FOTON’s advancements in new energy vehicles and pledged smooth delivery of the order. Dangote, in turn, praised the company’s technological strength, with both sides also discussing Africa’s energy transition and potential cooperation, including joint ventures.
Get up to speed
In July 2025, Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced the arrival of 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas powered trucks in Lagos ahead of its nationwide fuel distribution initiative scheduled to begin on August 15 of that year.
- In September 2025, Aliko Dangote disclosed that the conglomerate acquired a total of 10,000 trucks, comprising 4,000 CNG fuel tankers and 6,000 dry cargo trucks for transporting coal and other solid commodities across its operations.
- He explained that the trucks are part of an effort to modernise logistics and improve efficiency.
The latest order for over 1,000 additional CNG vehicles further highlights the group’s sustained investment in expanding and modernising its logistics capacity.
What you should know
The Dangote Group is one of Africa’s largest diversified industrial conglomerates, operating across cement manufacturing, petrochemicals, fertiliser, agriculture, food processing, mining, ports and logistics in Nigeria and several other African countries.
- The group is accelerating capacity expansion and regional market development as part of its ambition to reach $100 billion in scale by 2030.
- Its recent investments span logistics, refining, petrochemicals and fertiliser production across multiple African markets.
- The company continues to pursue strategic international partnerships to strengthen technology transfer and operational efficiency.
The continued expansion of its CNG-powered fleet aligns with its broader strategy of scaling operations while positioning itself for long-term industrial growth across Africa.
