President Hichilema tips Dangote to invest in Zambia’s energy, agriculture fields

President Hakainde Hichilema has invited Dangote Group of Companies to explore investment opportunities in the energy and agriculture sectors in Zambia.

The President was speaking when Dangote Group of Companies chairman Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy call on him at State House today.

He encouraged Mr Dangote to look at Zambia the way he looks at his native Nigeria.

“Zambia is open for business. When more investments come here, it will create jobs and business opportunities for Zambians,” President Hichilema said.

President Hichilema said with abundant power supply, Zambia’s annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will be around seven percent.

“Drought has taught us a lesson – a good one, for that matter. But we are not mourning anymore; we are seeing an opportunity.

“Hence, the invitation to you and your Group to look at investing with us in the country, as you have done with Dangote Cement in Ndola. We would like you to do that in the electricity side and we invite you to invest here. We have the coal in abundance and we will definitely support the coal projects,” the President said.

The head of State said Dangote Group of Companies is more than cement and fertiliser but many things.

“You can also look at investing in the agriculture sector here,” he said.

President Hichilema also congratulated Dangote Group of Companies on its great achievements in many respects.

“It’s important for you and your Group to know that Zambia and right-thinking Africans are proud of what you are doing.

“You should remember that you have the encouragement of not just Nigeria, but countries like Zambia and others. You are doing the right thing to take the charge for the development of this continent. It takes a lot of courage,” he said.

The President further encouraged other African entrepreneurs to learn from Mr Dangote that things can be done.

“We must dream big and we can achieve big things and he is an example,” said President Hichilema.

Mr Dangote said non-Africans will not develop Africa and it is the duty of Africans to trigger development on the continent.

He said his Group is looking at opportunities in Zambia, mainly in the energy sector and also processing of raw materials.

“We shouldn’t be exporting raw materials but finished products because that way it means we will be creating jobs. But the moment you export raw materials, you are actually exporting jobs and importing poverty.

“So we want to partner with the government to make sure that we address these issues,” Mr Dangote said.

He said Zambia needs a lot of power and the country should take advantage of its coal endowment for energy generation.

“We should use our God-given resources to develop our countries, and we are ready to partner with the government to follow this trajectory. Without power, there is no growth.

“You can be rest assured that you will have my 100 percent support to develop the economy. It can be a win-win situation. We will be very happy and proud to be part of the development of Zambia. We are one and the same; we are just divided by politics – borders,” said Mr Dangote.

Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Charles Milupi said: “we are excited to have an African of your stature visit our country.”

“We hope as a result of this visit and further engagement with your team, you will be able to grow your investments to the benefit of your organisation and, of course, Zambia.

“We are excited by your message that we, the Africans, are the only ones that can develop this continent,” said Mr Milupi.