Dewele:Ethiopia: Dangote Group President and Chief Executive Aliko Dangote has announced the company's involvement in the Ethiopia-Djibouti strategic infrastructure project aimed at enhancing energy self-reliance in Africa.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the project, revealed during a groundbreaking ceremony, will involve the construction of a 120-kilometre multi-product pipeline and 400 million litres of storage capacity. This infrastructure will link coastal storage facilities at Damerjog in Djibouti with inland storage and distribution centers at Dewele in Ethiopia, facilitating the efficient movement of petroleum products and reducing the reliance on long-distance road haulage.
Dangote emphasized that the first phase of the project will focus on transporting essential petroleum products, such as jet fuel and automobile gas. This development is expected to enhance supply, improve inventory management, and strengthen strategic reserve stocks while easing the current pressure on transportation systems.
The project is also set to create numerous opportunities for local businesses and workers, offering both construction and permanent technical and administrative positions. It is anticipated to benefit contractors, service providers, transport operators, suppliers, and the host community by transferring skills and generating employment.
Highlighting the broader impact, Dangote stated that this initiative is a step towards Africa's self-reliance in infrastructure, promoting intra-continental trade and value retention. Additionally, it will complement existing road haulage systems and contribute to safety and environmental management improvements.
Dangote further shared his vision for African industrial development, advocating for increased reliance on local investment, infrastructure, and financial institutions to reduce dependency on imports. The Dangote Group's investments are aligned with this vision, underscored by their Vision 2030 program, which includes a planned investment of 50 billion USD across Africa.
The Ethiopia-Djibouti project represents another milestone in Dangote Group's efforts to expand its industrial presence in Ethiopia and strengthen infrastructure and production capacities across the continent.
