Zambian Farmers Seek Dangote’s Support

The director of Small Scale Farmers for Development Agency (SAFADA), an umbrella organisation of farmers in Zambia, Boyd Moobwe, has urged Dangote Group to consider investing in the agriculture sector of the country.
Moobwe, in a statement issued, in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, on Sunday, observed that since agriculture is the mainstay of the country’s economy after mining, investment in the sector is required to boost and transform the rural areas especially.
Moobwe’s statement followed the one-day visit of the chairman of Dangote Group and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to Zambia, on Saturday.
Moobwe said his organisation is open to work with Dangote Group in an effort to improve small scale farmers’ participation in the agricultural sector.
Dangote had, reportedly, held talks with President Edgar Lungu of Zambia, during the visit, where he expressed interest to consolidate his existing investments in Zambia and explore opportunities in the energy and agriculture sectors.
The multi-billionaire also expressed gratitude to President Lungu and the Zambian people for the enabling environment that the country continues to offer investors at every level.
“I am here not only to explore investment opportunities and consolidate our existing business relations, but also to congratulate your Excellency for your victory in the last general elections. I wish you many years of success as you guide your nation to greater heights and prosperity.
“During your tenure, you need to implement agricultural practices, which will ensure that yields per hectare are high and competitive. This is because Zambia’s natural advantage in the export market is the readily available captive market that consists of eight neighbouring countries and other nations in the great lakes region.
“Energy is a critical requirement for economic development and so it is important that you expand your energy supply footprint both for local consumption, and export to regional markets. We are going to explore investment opportunities in the energy sector and perhaps look at the viability of existing petroleum refinery facilities,” Zambian local media reported Dangote as telling Lungu during the visit.
In his response, the Zambian leader expressed the country’s gratitude to Dangote and also pledged the continued support of his government to the Dangote Group.
Lungu stated: “I admire your tenacity and commitment to investing within Africa because that is what improves the brotherhood between nations. We will support you and facilitate your investments in Zambia. We need to put our hands together to help our people out of poverty.”

Dangote also held a consultative meeting with the Zambian Minister of Finance, Felix Mutati, during the visit.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Group has announced the establishment of a $100 million truck assembly plant in Lagos.
The group said in a statement, on Sunday, the move was part of its efforts towards stabilising the economy through job creation.
The plant was established in partnership with a Chinese firm, National Heavy Duty Truck Group Company Limited, SINOTRUK.
According to the Chief Corporate Communication Officer of Dangote Group, Tony Chiejina, the plant has the capacity to produce 10,000 trucks annually.

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