Nigerian industrialist and billionaire Aliko Dangote has once again raised concerns about the existence of a powerful “oil mafia” within the downstream petroleum industry, describing it as more dangerous than drug cartels due to its widespread influence and deep-rooted networks.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Forbes, Dangote emphasized the challenges he has faced in establishing and operating the $23 billion Dangote Refinery, which is Africa’s largest and the world’s sixth-largest by production capacity.
“The oil mafia is more deadly than the one in drugs because, with the oil mafia, there are so many people involved,” Dangote stated.
“You might be wining and dining with them, but these are the guys who are the masters of moving things around,” he added.
Despite these challenges, Aliko Dangote mentioned that he remains resolute in his commitment to the refinery’s success, vowing to overcome any obstacles.
“I have been fighting battles all my life, and I have not lost one yet,” he told Forbes.
The Dangote Refinery, which is expected to reach its full production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by June 2025, is one of the most ambitious private-sector projects in Africa.
Aliko Dangote also described the refinery project as the most significant risk of his life, acknowledging the financial, regulatory, and operational hurdles he has encountered thus far.
“If this didn’t work, I was dead,” he admitted while highlighting the immense stakes involved in the project.
As the refinery nears full capacity, Dangote remains determined to navigate the industry’s challenges while working to break Africa’s reliance on imported petroleum products and establish Nigeria as a refining powerhouse.
