Dangote Group is exploring an Egyptian expansion after Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid Saleh led a delegation to the company, as Cairo seeks African investment to boost local production and exports.
The company said the engagement fits its Vision 2030 drive to broaden industrial activity across Africa. It has not named an Egyptian project, set a budget or offered a schedule. BusinessDay reported that Saleh’s delegation visited Dangote Industries’ Lagos headquarters on Sunday, Nov. 1. In a Nov. 3 report, the outlet said Egyptian petroleum officials and executives from oil and petrochemical companies also joined the visit.
The Lagos meeting followed an Oct. 3 gathering in El Alamein between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Dangote Group founder Aliko Dangote, according to the Egyptian presidency. The presidency said they discussed possible cooperation in energy, fertilizers, chemicals and cement. It said Dangote sought government support for investment and El-Sisi welcomed the prospect.
An investment figure has been reported, though the company has not announced a final commitment. Ahram Online reported Oct. 15 that Dangote outlined plans for a $10 billion to $15 billion investment in Egypt. BusinessDay reported Nov. 1 that the amount was still under discussion and that refining and petrochemicals were expected to be central. The presidency’s account listed energy, fertilizers, chemicals and cement as discussion areas, but gave no total and did not identify refining or petrochemicals as the proposal’s focus.
Cairo says it wants investment from major African industrial groups to support domestic manufacturing, lift exports and create jobs, according to the State Information Service. It reported that Saleh met Dangote regional director Fatima Wali Abdul Rahman in Abuja on July 2 to discuss expansion opportunities. In an Oct. 18 statement, Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones said Dangote’s strategy through 2030 includes entering the Egyptian market. The authority also said Egypt wants a long-term strategic partnership with the group.
Separately, Dangote has announced plans to invest about $50 billion from 2026 through 2030. The company has not said how much, if any, is earmarked for Egypt; EconoTimes’ earlier coverage of the broader investment plan describes the group-wide program.
