President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called for Africa to place food security and self-sufficiency at the centre of its development agenda, stressing the continent’s vast untapped agricultural potential.
Speaking in Lagos over the weekend during a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre, Dangote described agriculture as a cornerstone for sustainable growth, job creation, and poverty reduction across the continent.
“Africa is richly endowed with arable land. With the right policies, adequate investment, and adoption of modern technology, our farmers can significantly boost yields and returns,” Dangote said. “Strengthening agriculture will not only secure food for our people but also stimulate growth across multiple sectors of the economy.”
A Bold Rice Pact
As part of this push, Dangote Rice Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries, recently signed a landmark ₦1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government.
The deal will guarantee a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice, supporting Nigeria’s wider food security goals. Through its out-grower scheme, the company plans to create jobs, empower farmers, and reduce dependence on rice imports.
AfricaRice Endorsement
The Director General of AfricaRice, Dr. Baboucarr Manneh, praised Dangote’s renewed agricultural focus, describing it as a vital step toward reducing the continent’s reliance on food imports.
He welcomed the Niger State partnership, noting its potential to transform regional food systems:
“Niger State has set an ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of rice over the next five years. For context, Africa currently imports around 15 million tonnes annually. If achieved, this target will have a significant impact on rice self-sufficiency across the continent.”
Dr. Manneh stressed the importance of public-private partnerships that harness government leadership alongside private sector investment and innovation.
He added that the Niger-Dangote model could serve as a blueprint for other African nations, provided it is backed by strong agricultural research and science.
He also urged governments to better manage food imports in order to protect local farmers and strengthen domestic economies.
Scaling Up Rice Production
Echoing this commitment, the Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, reaffirmed the state’s drive to revolutionise rice production.
He revealed that with AfricaRice’s support, Niger State plans to expand annual paddy rice production from 1.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes, using climate-smart technologies, mechanisation, and innovation, while integrating both large-scale farms and smallholder farmers.
About the Author
