Africa-Press – Namibia. Africa’s richest man billionaire Aliko Dangote, is reported to be preparing to construct massive fuel storage tanks at Walvis Bay.
The tanks, reports suggest, would be able to supply much of southern Africa.
The internet was abuzz yesterday with the news that massive 1.6 billion litre fuel tanks will be constructed on Namibia’s coast by the Nigerian-based Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
According to unconfirmed reports, the storage tanks will cater for petrol and diesel fuel that could be distributed to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The development marks a strategic step in Dangote’s ambition to dominate African fuel supply. It could potentially reshape regional energy flows and improve access to refined products in southern Africa.
When approached for comment yesterday, the industrialisation, mines, and energy ministry responded: “Kindly note that this function is now residing under the Presidency. All queries should be forwarded to that office”. However, the Office of the Presidency yesterday responded for this reporter to engage the industries ministry.
A Dangote spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, various online publications quoted sources who confirmed the significant development to an international news agency.
If confirmed, the bulk fuel storage tanks support Dangote’s strategy to dominate African fuel supply and increase continental access to refined petroleum products.
Dangote owns and operates Africa’s largest oil refinery, which commenced operations in 2024. The US$20 billion [approximately N$354.9 billion] refinery, which is steadily ramping up to full capacity, has a capacity to process some 650 000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The refinery currently produces aviation fuel, diesel, gasoline and naphtha.
News agencies reported that while Dangote has yet to comment on the project, a Namibian Ports Authority official reportedly confirmed that the tanks will be located within the Walvis Bay harbour.
In addition, the total cost and exact starting date of the project have not been disclosed. Last month, Dangote paid a courtesy call on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to discuss strategies for advancing Africa’s economic development.
During the engagement, he concurred with the President’s vision that Africa’s natural resources will remain untapped if not harnessed by Africans themselves.
At the time, a presidential statement said that the continent’s progress hinges on value addition and Africans taking the initiative to improve economic performance.
The statement added that African entrepreneurs are responsible for leading the continent’s development, asserting that public-private partnerships remain critical for success. “We believe in Africa for Africans, particularly when it comes to our developmental agenda. We are saying no one else can liberate us economically but ourselves. African entrepreneurs are the ones we are looking at as citizens of this continent – for us to move to the next level and not just to be seen as a continent of poverty.
“As one of our leaders said, we cannot be a rich continent with poor people. And here, in Namibia, I’m saying we are too few to be poor,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the time.
Dangote concurred with Nandi-Ndaitwah’s assertion.
“I want to thank you really for touching on the right points. There is no way anybody can come and develop our continent. The continent can only be developed by Africans. That is why a company like ours has actually invested in almost 12 other African countries – not only Nigeria. I know if we sit back, there is not any entrepreneur, whether from Japan, the United States or anywhere can actually develop our continent,” Dangote said.
He continues to diversify his business empire, with significant interests across various sectors, including cement, sugar, salt, flour – and most recently, oil refining, petrochemicals and fertilisers. Dangote Cement, one of his group’s subsidiaries, is Africa’s largest cement producer.
It is listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
The Dangote Group operates in 17 African countries, creating considerable jobs and economic value across Africa.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
