Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, has called for urgent prioritisation of food security and agricultural self-sufficiency across Africa, stating that agriculture is central to sustainable development.
While speaking in Lagos during a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre, a pan-African Centre of Excellence for rice research, Dangote highlighted Africa’s potential to become a global agricultural powerhouse.
“Africa is richly endowed with arable land. With the right policies, adequate investment, and the adoption of modern technology, farmers can significantly increase their yields and return on investment,” Dangote said in a statement issued by the Dangote Group.
He stressed that strengthening agriculture would tackle many socio-economic challenges, create jobs, and drive industrial growth.
“With effective policy frameworks and technological advancement, Africa can achieve food security and become self-sufficient. Investing in agriculture will also unlock growth across various sectors of the economy,” he added.
The AfricaRice delegation praised Dangote’s renewed focus on farming, pointing to the recent N1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement signed between Dangote Rice Limited and Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government.
The deal secures a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice for Dangote Rice and supports Nigeria’s food security drive.
Dangote Rice has already invested in rice mills, plantations, and out-grower schemes to create jobs and reduce reliance on imports.
Director General of AfricaRice, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, described the Niger State partnership as transformative.
He said the state’s goal of producing five million tonnes of rice in the next five years could drastically cut Africa’s reliance on imports.
“Africa imports around 15 million tonnes of rice annually. If Niger State achieves this target, it will have a huge impact on rice self-sufficiency and food security in Africa,” Manneh said.
He also emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships, which combine government leadership with private sector investment and innovation.
“This partnership can serve as a blueprint for other states and countries across the continent,” he added.
Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, disclosed that AfricaRice will help the state raise rice output from 1.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes annually.
This will be achieved through climate-smart technologies, mechanisation, and the integration of both large-scale and smallholder farmers.
