Feature/OPED
Dangote, the Congo Plant and the Imperative of African Industrialization
By Ehiedu Iweriebor
The Dangote Group of Nigeria, one of the pre-eminent industrial conglomerates in Africa, in pursuit of its pan-African development and emancipation strategy, on November 23, 2017 formally launched its newest economic development industrial project, the Dangote Cement plant in Mfila, in Congo-Brazzaville.
With this $300 million, 1.5 million metric tonne per annum plant, the Group now has a presence in ten of the 17 countries in which it plans to construct and expand cement plans.
While it had to re-calibrate the pace and timing of its earlier ambitious plans to complete its various planned plants at an earlier date, because of the economic down turn in Nigeria from 2014, the completion of the Congo plant indicates that the Group’s Pan-African cement plant’s expansion and new plants’ construction programme is still very much on course even though the pace of completion is now staggered over a longer time frame.
This new plant, as an industrial project will have direct and indirect benefits in Congo-Brazzaville that domestic resource-based industrial projects plants usually generate. It is expected to provide at least 1,000 direct jobs and numerous other employment opportunities that will be stimulated by its presence.
For example, other sectors that will be stimulated include the following: expansion of local civil and housing construction projects by state and private builders; expansion of cement block makers; the establishment of a transportation fleet for the distribution of the cement and the employment of drivers, conductors and mechanics for the trucks; the expanded use of fuel; the emergence of small and medium scale cement distributors and even big distribution companies and workers and new sale stores; banks, food suppliers and sellers of small dry goods and items.
In short, the impact of this plant will be the progressive creation of new economic activities and employment opportunities. From these new economic activities the Congolese state, the local government and community authorities will derive Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) that did not previously exist.
The various speeches at the launching of the Congo-Brazzaville plant highlighted the economic development significance and prospective impact of this this massive industrial project. President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, noted that the plant was the biggest industrial plant in the country and the investment represented an industrial revolution within the regional group – Economic Community of Central African States.
He noted that from their assessment of the impact of Dangote cement plants in other countries, they had always stimulated multiplier effects through the promotion of complementary and cognate industries and hoped that similar multiple direct and indirect effects will happen in the country.
He also noted the timeliness of the take-off of the plant as a contributor to state revenues at a time when his government’s revenues had precipitously declined by 31.3 percent and oil sector revenues had also declined by 65.1 due to the fall in oil prices.
Clearly, the Congo-Brazzaville government appreciates the investment, presence and impact of the Dangote cement plant.
In his own address, the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, affirmed that Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Group by their pan-African investments had emerged as “worthy Ambassadors” of the country.
He highlighted the various areas in which the Dangote Group had through its massive investments in the cement sector changed the course of Nigeria’s economic history. These include the provision of a key material for infrastructure development, the introduction of road construction with cement, the pursuit of expansion through backward integration and import substitution and the achievement of national self-sufficiency in cement availability and the contributions to savings of over $2 billion annually from the termination of dependency through importation.
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, in his address, articulated the significance of the plant in terms of timely completion, its contribution of widespread availability of affordable cement, the plant’s contribution to the country’s expanded cement production capacity in excess of current demand and the consequence of reducing dependency on cement importation. He also noted that the plant will contribute to the country’s economic renaissance through foreign exchange conservation, employment generation, infrastructure expansion and multiple economic activities.
Dangote graciously and gratefully highlighted the strong and dedicated support provided by the government and people of Congo-Brazzaville from project’s conception to completion. Partly in pursuit of the Group’s philosophy and strategy of Corporate Social Responsibility, the Group was implementing several social projects including school construction, provision of scholarships, renovation of a hospital, road construction and bridge renovation. It also affirmed its company’s policy and commitment to give priority in employment to indigenes of the area of the plant’s location.
The various addresses highlighted the great economic impact of the Dangote’s chosen investments in cement production. But they did not often directly and fully underscore the actual primary sources of its revolutionary impact as a specific type of non-dependent industrial project with its inherent catalytic consequences. That is that they are resource-based industrial plants whose productions are based on the exploitation and processing of a local resource.
In short, the reasons for the great impact of these projects is that unlike the more common, attractive and lucrative arenas of foreign direct investment (FDI) such as extractive, wasting and non-development sectors like mineral and mining sectors and enclave assembly plant industries that are unconnected to the local economic environment, Dangote chose a different trajectory.
The Dangote Group’s choice of resource-based industrialization based on a comprehensive backward integration strategy as the primary pathway and its contribution to African self-actuated and self-directed economic development, prosperity generation, transformation and emancipation is developmentally apt, strategic and fecund.
This can best be understood within the perspective of Africa’s greatest failure in the post-independence era: economic development. This has been due to the failure to create and apply an autonomous economic philosophy and strategy of self-actuated development based on the well-established principles of endogenous technology capacitation and industrialization.
On the contrary, African states and leaders at independence chose the maintenance of the inherited colonial economy, and in the neo-colonial framework of the times, the focus became the expansion of the production and export of raw materials: agricultural and mineral; the mass importation of consumer goods, intermediate goods and capital goods. This entailed the corresponding non-domestication of the historically established levers of development levers: the productive forces – technology and industrialization and equally importantly the ideological premise of development: the psychologically disposition, political will and activated self-agency for self-actuated and self-reliant development that is imperative to any successful development.
The result of this failure of the inherited and non-development neo-colonial economic system and strategy has been the condition of growth without development characterized by the persistence of underdevelopment, expanded dependency and poverty generation. The fact is that no African state since independence from the 1950s has been able to establish and sustain a philosophy, policy and strategy of self-actuated development and secure domestic prosperity generation.
This economic development failure was aggravated by the largely successful recolonization of African economic development objectives, policies, strategies and programmes in the 1980s through the acceptance, imposition and implementation of the Multilateral imperialist agencies – World Bank and International Monetary Fund(IMF) – non-development dogmas embodied in their Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) by the African leadership and states. Based on the unproven and unvarying dogmas called conditionalities: currency devaluation, trade liberalization, removal of subsidies, deregulation and privatization, they were not intended in any way to address the core causes of the balance of payments crisis of African economies of the late 1970s and early 1980s, that is African countries development incapacitation, raw material exports, dependency, mass importation, non-industrialization, under-production and poverty generation.
It was the African leaders’ inability or unwillingness to identify and address these fundamental issues and their preference for pre-packaged supposedly neutral external “expert technical” solutions that led them as supplicants to these neo-imperialist agencies.
The substantive objective of these imperialist agencies was to forcefully return the incrementally economically self-directed African states back into the conditions economic colonialism with its exclusive focus on primary commodities (raw materials) production and export and dependency on importation of all manufactured goods.
Furthermore, the World Bank and IMF also wanted to effect the removal of African states’ as promoters and activators of economic and social development especially freedom conferring industrialization through the cession of development responsibility by privatization to the undeveloped and dependent local capitalist groups; but more consequentially to foreigners through the fetish of foreign Direct Investments (FDI) as the new promoters of African “economic development.”
But the FDI fetish is a dangerously misleading dogma of non-development: it misdirects, misrepresents and disarms societies and leaderships from ownership and responsibility for the philosophy, objectives and strategies for their own societies’ development.
The ability of external forces to inflict these damaging, disruptive and painful consequences of neo-colonial economic failure and their expression in persistent underdevelopment, dependency, underproduction, poverty, beggarliness, humiliation and indignity on Africans, has been possible due to active and direct complicity of much of African leaderships’ and elite who were successfully programmed to marginalize African agency and responsibility for its own development. These African elite enthroned and accepted foreign diktat, policies and programmes as inescapable for African development.
Yet, this situation of the subservience and servility of the psychologically programmed African leadership, elite, intelligentsia has not been uniformly one-dimensional.
Not all African leaderships, elite, intelligentsia, business people, bureaucrats and technocrats have supinely conceded to Africa’s surrender, submission and acquiescence to conditions permanent underdevelopment and cession of self-responsibility for development to others.
Some among these were patriotic elite and leaderships who came to the ineluctable and correct conclusion that Africa can only enter into the state of freedom, dignified existence and a prosperous world by the pro-active choice and creation of its own philosophy and strategy of self-actuated development.
This new development strategy will comprise the assumption of responsibility; the centrality of African agency; technological capacitation; modernization of all productive forces including agriculture and mineral production but above all the relentless pursuit of mass industrialization and mass production as the indisputable pathway and proven expressions of societal self-modernization in the contemporary world.
In the African business world today, it can be said without equivocation that Dangote and the Dangote Group has been and is in the vanguard of the promotion African self-development through resource based development capacitation; backward integration and genuine import substitution; radical reduction of import dependency for consumer goods and industrial inputs; mass industrialization, mass production and in-country and incontinent prosperity generation.
The expansive range of the industrial products of the Dangote Group beyond cement; and including food and agro industry: sugar, salt, tomato, rice, pasta, milk, flour; poly products and heavy industry like motor vehicles, coal mining and processing, refined petroleum, fertilizer and petrochemicals all attest to the promoter and Group’s understanding of the centrality of industrialization to genuine economic diversification and successful societal development and advancement.
The opening of the Congo cement plant within the Dangote Group’s pan-African industrial development strategy and its multiplier effects, creation of diverse employment opportunities and in-country prosperity generation, all attests to the Group’s contribution economic development and empowerment, and re-dignifying of Africans through the single-minded commitment to economic advancement through industrialization.
What is now required of African states, leaderships, technocratic and bureaucratic elite and business leaders and intelligentsia is following Dangote’s example, to prioritize technological capacitation and industrialization as the indisputable foundations and pathways for the project of Africa’s self-conceived, self-directed, self-funded and self-actuated and non-dependent programme of radical economic transformation and renaissance in the modern era. Only liberated African peoples, states and leaders can create this made in Africa – Africa by Africans for Africans and the world.
Ehiedu Iweriebor is a Professor, Department of Africana and Puerto Rican/Latino Studies, Hunter College, City University of New York, USA.
Feature/OPED
Reflection on Groups’ Kindness to Alidinma Mixed Secondary and Ute Okpu Grammar Schools
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
This piece was inspired by two separate but related events; the first has to do with the news report that Dr. Philomena Onoyona Foundation, in line with its vision of giving unwavering commitment to education and community development, recently made a strategic visit to Alidinma Mixed Secondary School in Agbor Alidinma in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, where it donated learning materials worth thousands of naira to the students.
The second and closely related to the above centres on the revelation that the Ute Okpu Community in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State recently came alive as the 1990 Set of Ute Okpu Grammar School Old Students Association celebrated its annual reunion with a series of social responsibilities aimed at giving back to the society.
These activities, programmes and initiatives include but are not limited to; deworming of children aged 10 years and below, payment of tribute to the unsung heroes of Ute Okpu Grammar School, presentations of lecture series, bestowing of awards, testimonials, plaques and cash gifts on the school’s outstanding/dedicated teachers, staff, and alumni in recognition of their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, and unrelenting passion for education.
At a glance, the above show of love by the Foundation and the Old Students Association portrays a bunch that recognizes Social Responsibility as an ethical framework in which individuals or corporations must act in the best interests of their environment and society as a whole, fulfilling their civil duty and taking actions that are beneficial to both the present and upcoming generations.
Beyond the donations, worthy of mention are their messages of hope and resolve to continually support both the present and future students within the state and beyond.
Take as an illustration, Dr. Onoyona underlined that the latest visit and donation of learning materials to the students of Alidinma Mixed Secondary School is the foundation’s way of raising from our community, academically strong and well-informed youths that will provide the future leadership needs of our nation as well as compete favourably with their counterparts abroad’’.
The Nigerian-born and U.S.-based social worker and advocate while calling on other well-meaning and quietly influential Nigerians to team up in her current quest to uplift less privileged and vulnerable youths out of poverty and illiteracy, added that this benevolent outreach which focuses on empowering students through provisions of essential educational materials such as school bags, relevant books, pens, and pencils, among others will continue and be extended to other schools within Delta state and beyond to equip the students with the tools needed to excel academically and inspire a brighter future.
In a related development, Speaking via a statement signed by one of the leading members, Chukwuka Justus Iwegbu and titled; The Spirit of Giving Back to Our Community and Alma Mater: A Tribute to the Unsung Heroes of Ute Okpu Grammar School 1990 Set Old Students Association, the Ute Okpu Old Students Association explained that the event which took place at Ute Okpu Unity Town Hall was a testament to the enduring spirit of the alumni association and its commitment to recognizing the contributions of its esteemed members.
“One thing that brought us together after so many years of leaving our alma mater is unity and love. We may not bother ourselves with the sung and unsung stories because we have a whole lot of members who believe in an unsung story of positive contribution and impact on the lives of others. Remembering our roots remains our major mandate and a call to duty.
“The Ute Okpu Grammar School Alumni Association, 1990 set, is committed to giving back to our alma mater and the Ute Okpu community. We believe that education is the key to unlocking the potential of individuals and communities, and we are dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote educational excellence and intergenerational change,” the statement concluded.
Without a doubt, it will be convenient for many to argue that there is nothing philanthropic to attract media coverage of such a low-profiled donation of learning material, particularly as the value of the donation in question is not measured in billions of Naira.
For me, there are lessons to learn from these groups and every reason to celebrate their actions.
First and very fundamental is the hidden truth that members of these groups are not in absolute terms wealthy, particularly going by Nigerians’ context and definition of riches but were predominantly fired by the burning desire to uplift the life chances of the poor and vulnerable in their environment through educational support.
Regardless of what others may say, this piece holds the opinion that these morally eminent men and women made donations to schools not only as a positive behavioural culture but largely in recognition of the time-honoured aphorism which considers education as the bedrock of development; that with sound educational institutions, a country is as good as made -as the institutions will turn out all rounded manpower to continue with the development of the society driven by well thought out ideas, policies, programmes, and projects.
Their action equally symbolises a bunch in consonance with the fact that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our schools work and our children are properly educated at the right time.
With their culture of donating to the students’ welfare and comfort, the group, in my view, amplified the notion that children enjoy the right to education as recognized by a number of international conventions, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which recognizes a compulsory primary education for all, an obligation to develop secondary education accessible to all, as well as the progressive introduction of free higher education/obligation to develop equitable access to higher education.
We must also not fail to remember that a few years ago, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in line with its mandate to promote and protect human rights, established the right to education as a thematic area of focus to drive its vision of having all children enrolled in school as well as to ensure that the culture of human rights is promoted and maintained in schools.
One common fact we must not shy away from as a people is that the crushing weight arising from education funding in Nigeria and globally has become too heavy for only the government to shoulder and that is another reason why the intervention/donation by these groups is most profound.
As we celebrate these uncommon efforts, the lesson we must all draw from the example of these groups is that it is time for all to collectively find creative and sustainable solutions to educational provision for all in Nigeria, especially for the children of the poor and lowly as these children deserve the right to hold all of us accountable.
If we fail to provide this traditional but universal responsibility to these children, their future will hang in the balance as a result of such failures. And chances are that most of them will run to the streets. And, as we know, the streets are known for breeding all sorts of criminals and other social misfits who constitute the real threat such as armed robbers, thugs, drug abusers, drunkards, prostitutes and all other social ills that give a bad name to society.
Utomi, a media specialist, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. He can be reached via [email protected]/08032725374
Embarking on a new year often involves setting ambitious resolutions – a global tradition of striving for personal growth and positive change. We vow to eat healthier, exercise more, learn a new skill, or take on challenging DIY projects. However, as the initial enthusiasm wanes, some resolution may only fall by the wayside.
To enhance your chances of success, let’s delve into some common resolutions and explore key tips that will empower you. This includes setting clear and achievable goals and utilising tools that will equip you for the journey towards achieving those aspirations.
1. Enhancing physical wellbeing: Losing weight or improving fitness often requires a lot of different things working together. To support your efforts, consider utilising tools such as smartwatches to track progress, resistance bands for strength training, and cardio equipment like an exercise bike or treadmill. For home workouts, invest in dumbbells, kettlebells, and a yoga mat. A food scale can aid in portion control. You can also stay motivated by wearing nice workout clothes that makes exercise more fun. These products are all available on Temu, a direct-from-factory marketplace offering year-round deals to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions.
2. Cultivating healthy eating habits: This often involves prioritising whole foods, minimising processed foods, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. To simplify this journey, consider investing in helpful kitchen tools. A food processor can streamline meal prep, while an air fryer offers a healthier cooking alternative. A slow cooker is perfect for effortless and flavourful meals, and a vegetable spiraliser can make eating vegetables more enjoyable.
3. Prioritising stress reduction and wellness: Prioritising wellness is crucial for overall well-being. To reduce stress and feel better, focus on mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga and spend time in nature. Improve your sleep habits. Helpful tools include essential oil diffusers to create a calming atmosphere, weighted blankets for relaxation and comfort, stress balls to release tension and improve circulation, and noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions.
4. Trying out a side hustle to diversify income: Becoming a social media content curator, for example, is a rewarding pursuit in Nigeria, however, it requires careful planning and execution. Defining your niche and identifying reliable sources of content are crucial first steps. A strong technological foundation is essential for success. This includes a reliable computer or mobile device, a stable internet connection, and specialised software for editing (video, audio, and image). Investing in affordable high-quality recording equipment, such as cameras, is crucial for capturing professional-looking content, while good lighting is essential to enhance its visual appeal.
5. Strengthening personal relationships: This is a valuable resolution that can enhance our well-being and strengthen our relationships. In today’s busy world, it’s easy to let the demands of daily life overshadow meaningful connections. To make this resolution a reality, consider scheduling regular family dinners, planning weekend outings, or dedicating specific times for uninterrupted conversations. Remember that quality time is key; put away distractions and truly engage with your loved ones.
6. Contributing to the community through volunteering: Volunteering your time to a cause you believe in is a rewarding way to make a difference in your community and the world. Find a cause that resonates with you and explore opportunities within your local area. Start small and gradually increase your commitment. Remember that volunteering is a two-way street; it not only benefits the organisation but also provides you with a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Consistency and adaptability are key to achieving your New Year’s resolutions. Celebrate your successes, be patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to adjust your approach when needed. Platforms like Temu can be invaluable allies, offering a wide range of affordable products to support your goals. From fitness equipment to kitchen essentials, Temu can effectively equip you without straining your budget.
In Nigeria’s diverse workforce, the conversation around diversity and inclusion (DEI) extends beyond gender to address tribal diversity, socioeconomic representation, and other cultural nuances. Policies that promote inclusivity are crucial for fostering collaboration in Nigeria’s multicultural corporate environment.
“An organisation is only as good as its people. Ensuring those people perform to their best is the role of human capital. Today, the field has a range of tools to ensure real-time engagement and agile interventions for optimal job satisfaction and performance”, – Catia Teixeira, MultiChoice Africa Holdings Group Executive Head of Human Capital.
In both our professional and personal lives, we all strive for growth and development. These opportunities are deeply rewarding, supporting the kind of self-actualisation that makes life most fulfilling. In the Nigerian workplace, where career growth often intertwines with societal expectations and the drive for self-improvement, human capital plays an even more significant role. Opportunities to grow are not just fulfilling but are deeply rooted in our collective ambition for a better future.
Employee engagement is a reflection of how actualised individuals feel in their roles. Engaged employees are more likely to perform at their peak and contribute positively to the workplace. In Nigeria, where the “hustle culture” is celebrated, organizations must create environments that not only nurture growth but also recognize and reward the efforts of their people.
When employees feel enriched and their work aligns with their aspirations, the results are transformative. Growth and development are not just personal milestones—they are the foundation of a thriving organization and, by extension, a more productive society.
Identifying Growth Opportunities
In every workplace, some employees stand out from the first day, while others take time to grow into their potential. Talent management processes must cater to both. For instance, a twice-yearly organizational talent review can help Nigerian companies identify where employees excel and where they need support.
Interactions within the workplace also play a crucial role. In Nigeria’s highly networked professional landscape, creating opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration can open new doors for employees. Systematic development plans, supported by tailored training, ensure that these opportunities translate into tangible growth.
Take the MultiChoice Academy, for example, which offers over 4,000 online courses spanning finance, HR, marketing, and other fields. This mirrors the Nigerian appetite for continuous learning, especially as industries rapidly embrace digital transformation. While face-to-face training remains valuable, customized e-learning platforms are pivotal in bridging knowledge gaps and preparing employees for the future of work.
For any training program, balance is key. Organizations must align employee development with business goals while ensuring individuals feel empowered to pursue their aspirations. In Nigeria, induction programs that connect new hires with company visions and purpose are critical to building this alignment.
One of the most rewarding aspects of human capital management is witnessing success stories unfold. In a country like Nigeria, where talent is abundant, but opportunities may be unevenly distributed, developing talent internally can make a significant impact. Long-term employees bring invaluable institutional knowledge, and nurturing their growth ensures they continue to drive organizational success.
At MultiChoice, we are deeply committed to equipping our workforce with the skills and confidence needed to excel. Whether it’s training young leaders, empowering women in leadership, or developing heads of departments, every investment in our people enhances their value – as individuals and as indispensable assets to the company.
What Diversity Means
At MultiChoice, gender equity remains a key focus. Women make up 46% of our workforce, and 46% of leadership roles are held by women—a significant achievement in a society where women often juggle professional aspirations with traditional family roles. Our promotions policy is designed to push these numbers to 50%, ensuring equity across all levels of the organization.
When entering new markets, MultiChoice intentionally applies its culture of inclusion, empowering women to excel in leadership positions. This commitment extends to addressing barriers unique to Nigeria, such as access to resources and mentorship for women in underrepresented fields.
Data Drives Change
To drive meaningful change, data is indispensable. Nigerian companies often face challenges like high employee turnover and workplace inefficiencies. By leveraging data, organizations can address these issues strategically.
MultiChoice uses platforms like Office Vibe to generate insights into employee engagement, satisfaction, and work-life balance. Weekly surveys and random polls provide actionable feedback, enabling quick interventions and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
In Nigeria, where trust in leadership significantly influences workplace morale, data can also help bridge gaps between management and employees. Regular focus groups, coupled with robust analytics, ensure employees feel heard and supported. When organizations align employee needs with business goals, the result is a workforce driven by purpose and achievement.
The Collective Goal
In Nigeria, where community and collective growth are deeply valued, human capital strategies should emphasize the power of shared purpose. By investing in people, organizations contribute to a larger vision of national development.
At MultiChoice, every success story is a testament to this philosophy. From training young leaders to empowering women in leadership, the organization demonstrates that growth is a journey best undertaken together. For Nigeria, this represents a powerful blueprint for building a future where individuals and organizations thrive in harmony.
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