During the commissioning of the multi-million dollar Dangote Cement plant in Mtwara, Tanzania, Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete has a candid discussion on the contribution the business mogul Aliko Dangote has on the African continent. They used phrases such as an economic stimulant to the African continent, whose investments go a long way in improving the economic stability and living standards in the continent.
The Dangote Cement plant was set up on a 26 hectare-jetty and had attracted top investors from Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. President Kikwete reiterated that the best way to create a sustainable economy is for investors investing in the African economies and create jobs and trade opportunities.
The Dangote Cement in Mtwara is the biggest cement plant in both Eastern and Central Africa. Kikwete described the cement plant as a timely investment that is likely to strengthen the bilateral ties between Nigeria and Tanzania.
“It will go a long way in transforming our happily existing diplomatic and political relations into investment and trade arena,” said President Kikwete. He also noted that the commissioning of the cement plant was timely as the demand for the product both locally and regionally is on the rise.
“It is logical that there is a sound relationship between economic growth and booming of the construction sector whereby cement is a critical input. Tanzania is one of the countries where such relationship can easily be traced.”
Kikwete also took advantage of the situation to pitch Tanzania as a prime investment destination. He said that the country registers an average growth rate of 7% and is among the top 10 economies in Africa suitable for investment.
President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasi El-Rufai. He also applauded Dangote as being a role model player in the economic development of the continent. For more details, head on to All Africa website.