Dangote spoke on Wednesday at the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event held in Lagos.
He said the West African nation has made significant strides in reversing its dependence on imports in key sectors such as cement, fertiliser, and petroleum products, adding that the same success can be achieved in healthcare.
“I think you are right. We can make it happen in business and also in health. We have actually done a lot. Let me start with health,” Dangote said.
“In health, through our own partnership with Bill, we have actually end polio. Also, we have participated and also did quite a lot in nutrition. So that’s our partnership.
“In terms of business, it’s true. We have done quite a lot by reversing a lot of things.
“Nigeria used to be the second largest importer of cement in the world and now, we have reversed it. Nigeria now exports cement more than any other African country.
“We have looked at also challenges in terms of fertiliser where our farmers were suffering.
“We built from the zero level to the second largest plant of fertiliser in the world. So, Nigeria now not only exports, we actually export 37% of our fertiliser to the United States of America.”
On petrochemicals, the billionaire said Nigeria used to import 350,000 tonnes of polypropylene, but that challenge has now been addressed and will not recur.
He said the country will meet domestic demand and also export 600,000 tonnes to other African countries.
“We are the highest, biggest capacity of refinery that has ever been built in the world by Saudi Aramco, which is 430,000 barrels. We said, let us do what has never, ever been done before, that is to do 650,000 barrels per day and we have delivered,” he said.
“In May alone, we have actually exported 400,000 metric tonnes of PMS, which is petrol. Nigeria imports 100%, but right now, no more.”
Dangote said the achievements in business should serve as a model for transforming the healthcare sector, particularly by ending Nigeria’s reliance on medical tourism.
He emphasised the need for the country to begin local drug production and ensure that people can access quality treatment without needing to travel overseas.
