… Pledges investment expansion
BY AGENCY REPORTER
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has received the highest civilian honour in Cameroon – the Commander of the National Order of Valour – from the country’s President, Paul Biya.
According to President Biya, Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, was conferred with the honour in recognition of his efforts to the economic development of Cameroon and Africa through his investments.
During the ceremony held at the Unity Palace, Yaoundé, the President expressed joy at Dangote’s efforts at promoting industrial growth across Africa through his cement plants and other investments in several African countries.
He said that the plants had provided thousands of direct and indirect employment that boosted the economies of nations as was the case in Cameroon.
Stating that his government focused investment promotion by creating a business-friendly environment, he urged the leading African investor to consider building more investments in Cameroon, saying that there were business opportunities in the country.
In his response, Dangote expressed his gratitude to President Biya and the people of Cameroon for the honour done to him.
He disclosed his plans to diversify the group’s investments in Cameroon, saying, “We have plans to expand our investment to other sectors beginning with oil and gas while our capacity in cement will also be expanded.
“At the inception of our construction activities at the plant, we encountered several challenges, but the government stepped in and ensured that we overcame the initial problems. Also, the incentives by the government to investors are encouraging. We feel very much at home here in Cameroon because of the business-friendly environment.
“If demand for cement increases, we will increase the capacity of the plant and make the country self-sufficient in cement production.”
Dangote Cement in Cameroon was inaugurated six years ago, and has boosted domestic production of cement in the country thereby stabilizing the price of the essential product in Cameroon.
Brands under Dangote Group include sugar, salt and beverages.
