Aliko Dangote has said the planned listing of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals on the Nigerian Exchange is aimed at democratising wealth creation and allowing Africans to participate directly in the continent’s industrial transformation.

Dangote made the remarks during a visit by executives of South Africa’s Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), and Alterra Capital Partners to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Lagos.

The delegation included Frans Baleni, Musa Mabesa, Mongwena Maluleke, Patrick Dlamini, and Genevieve Sangudi.

The visit comes amid growing investor interest in Africa-led industrialisation and infrastructure investment opportunities. Government Employees Pension Fund is Africa’s largest defined benefit pension fund, while Public Investment Corporation is the continent’s biggest asset manager.

Speaking on the proposed refinery listing, Dangote said Africa’s future economic growth must be driven by large-scale industrial projects capable of creating jobs, boosting local production capacity, and generating inclusive prosperity.

“We are opening the doors for investors to participate directly in Africa’s industrial future and the prosperity it will create,” he said.

According to him, the refinery project demonstrates the scale of untapped opportunities within Africa’s energy sector, particularly as many African countries still depend heavily on imported refined petroleum products despite rising industrial demand and consumption.

Dangote noted that the Group’s long-term strategy is focused on meeting Africa’s expanding energy needs and strengthening regional refining capacity capable of serving multiple markets across the continent.

He further disclosed that demand for products such as polypropylene, aviation fuel, and refined petroleum products has surpassed earlier projections, reinforcing the refinery’s commercial viability and informing future expansion plans.

“We thought about Nigeria first and then exports, but even with our current production, we are practically living hand to mouth because the market demand is extremely high,” he added.

Speaking after touring the facilities in Ibeju-Lekki, Frans Baleni described the refinery as proof that Africa can successfully execute transformational infrastructure projects with visionary leadership and long-term investment.

“If it can be done anywhere else in the world, it can be done in Africa,” Baleni said. “This project has shown that the continent is capable of achieving world-class industrialisation at scale.”

He added that the refinery was reshaping global perceptions of Africa’s industrial capability and demonstrated the potential of African-led development.

Also speaking, Patrick Dlamini described the refinery as one of the most transformative industrial projects on the continent, saying it reflects Africa’s growing economic potential.

Quoting former South African President Nelson Mandela, Dlamini said, “It always looks impossible until it’s done. This project is redefining the story of Africa and the possibilities of Africa.”

He noted that Public Investment Corporation, which manages about $230 billion in assets, is actively seeking long-term partnerships that support industrialisation, infrastructure development, and economic transformation across Africa.

According to him, poverty, unemployment, and economic exclusion remain major challenges on the continent, making industrialisation and large-scale job creation essential to Africa’s long-term stability and growth.