Africa fit turn big manufacturing powerhouse, but e no go happen if di continent no first solve im electricity problem and build strong financial institutions of im own. Na di position Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, carry go di 2026 Financial Times Africa Summit for London, where e yarn say Africa get di resources, di population and di investment chances to compete as manufacturing hub, but e no get di institutions and infrastructure to hold di benefits.
Dangote, wey be di president and chief executive officer of Dangote Industries Ltd, tok for one conversation with David Pilling, wey be di newspaper Africa editor. “For Africa, what we need the most today is actually power,” na so e talk. Im point simple: about 650 million Africans no get access to electricity, and e call di gap one wey no match di continent industrial ambition.
Di businessman explain how poor power dey force kontri dem to export minerals raw instead of refining dem at home. Mining companies, e talk, dey always point to power as di main reason dem no fit build processing plants near dia mines. Im group don set out one $50 billion investment programme for 2026 go reach 2030, and e say part of di plan na to show oda Africans say big projects fit land for di continent and to ginger dem to invest. Di target na wider industrial ecosystem.
Di same question about how far Africa, and Nigeria specifically, fit reach also show for one piece wey Independent Newspaper Nigeria publish, titled “Nigeria And The New World Order: Can Africa’s Giant Become A Global Strategic Power?”
For healthcare side, anoda first also land. News Agency of Nigeria report say one cancer society hail di emergence of Shinkafi-Bagudu as di first African president of di UICC.
But di phrase “African Giant” no just be political or business talk for Nigeria. Na also di name of Burna Boy fourth studio album, wey drop for 2019 and wey blend Afrobeat, dancehall, pop and hip-hop. For July 2024, di Grammy winner host one YouTube Live show to mark di album fifth anniversary, and e perform songs from di project.
“Celebrating the 5th anniversary of ‘African Giant’ with a special performance in London, supported by YouTube Music, has been an incredible experience,” Burna Boy talk for di time, according to Vanguard. “This album holds a special place in my heart as it represents a pivotal moment in my career and a powerful statement of African pride.”
Addy Awofisayo, Head of Music at YouTube in Africa, talk say di platform dey happy to present Burna Boy for di music night and to celebrate di album wey e call groundbreaking.
