Dangote Calls for Africa to Prioritise Food Security

Speaking over the weekend during a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre to his Lagos office, Dangote described agriculture as a pillar for sustainable growth on the continent.

 “Africa is richly blessed with arable land. With the right policies, proper investments, and modern technology, farmers can significantly increase yields and profitability,” he said.

Dangote emphasised that a stronger agricultural base could help tackle unemployment, boost income generation, and reduce poverty across the continent. According to him, effective policy frameworks and technology adoption will not only secure Africa’s food future but also stimulate growth across other sectors of the economy.

Landmark Rice Deal

Highlighting his company’s commitment to this vision, Dangote Rice Limited recently sealed a landmark N1.8 trillion purchase and sale agreement with Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Company Limited, owned by the Niger State Government. The deal will guarantee a steady supply of high-quality paddy rice to Dangote Rice while supporting Nigeria’s food security strategy.

Through its out-grower scheme, the company also plans to create thousands of jobs and promote self-sufficiency in rice production nationwide.

AfricaRice Endorsement

Director General of AfricaRice, Dr Baboucarr Manneh, commended Dangote’s agricultural focus, describing it as vital for Africa’s food future. He noted that Niger State’s ambitious target of producing five million tonnes of rice within five years could transform regional food systems.

“Africa currently imports about 15 million tonnes of rice annually. Achieving this target would significantly reduce dependence on imports and strengthen food security across the continent,” Dr Manneh said.

He further stressed the importance of strong public-private partnerships, combining government policies with private sector investment and scientific research to drive agricultural innovation.

Niger State’s Commitment

Executive Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, reiterated the state’s commitment to agricultural transformation. He revealed that with AfricaRice’s support, Niger State is aiming to scale rice production from 1.5 million tonnes annually to 10 million tonnes through mechanisation, climate-smart farming, and integration of both large-scale and smallholder farmers.