The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has declared Dangote Industries Limited the benchmark for industrial audacity in Nigeria, and used the platform of the 40th Lagos International Trade Fair to press the government to fix unreliable power, costly logistics and unpredictable fiscal policy.

LCCI President Engr. Leye Kupoluyi delivered the assessment at the Dangote Group Special Day, held under the fair's theme "Trade, Growth and Global Connection" — the same event where NASCON Allied Industries Plc unveiled a new range of Dangote seasoning products.

He pointed to Dangote's investments across cement, fertiliser, petroleum refining and consumer goods as proof that private-sector capital can cut import dependence and build domestic productive capacity. The 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, he said, demonstrates that Nigeria can build world-class industrial capacity when the private sector commits long-term capital.

What is the state of Nigeria's economy?

Kupoluyi said Nigeria is gradually moving from macroeconomic stabilisation towards production-led prosperity, citing improvements in economic growth and external reserves. The transition, he warned, will only hold if government removes the bottlenecks that keep raising production costs for manufacturers across the country.

He urged the government to accelerate action on three fronts:

• Stable and affordable electricity supply
• Efficient transport networks and lower logistics costs
• Predictable fiscal policies that allow long-term planning

Tackling these constraints, he said, would reduce the cost of doing business, improve industrial competitiveness and make it easier to replicate large-scale manufacturing investments across other sectors of the Nigerian economy. Without them, Nigeria cannot compete effectively in regional and global markets.

Kupoluyi also framed the trade fair itself as a vital platform for connecting businesses, showcasing innovation and driving trade-led growth.

How far does Dangote's industrial reach extend?

Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Fatima Aliko-Dangote said sustainable economic growth must be anchored on production, arguing that manufacturing creates jobs, builds skills and transforms raw materials into higher-value products.

"Sustainable economic growth must be anchored on production," she told the audience, explaining that this conviction informed Dangote Group's strategic transition from trading to manufacturing and continues to underpin its investments across critical sectors of the African economy.

The numbers behind that strategy are large. Dangote Cement holds an installed production capacity of about 55 million tonnes per annum across Africa — enough capacity to supply a substantial share of the continent's cement demand. Investments in petroleum refining, fertiliser and other industries, she said, are advancing self-sufficiency and strengthening Africa's capacity to export value-added products.

The Group's footprint extends well beyond Nigeria. Aliko-Dangote highlighted projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Namibia, including a $140 million tank farm near Walvis Bay that is expected to strengthen Namibia's position as a strategic Atlantic energy gateway.

What does Vision 2030 target?

Under its Vision 2030 growth agenda, Dangote Group plans a major scaling of its core operations:

• Expanding the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day — more than doubling current capacity
• Increasing fertiliser production capacity to 12 million metric tonnes
• Expanding polypropylene production to supply industries including packaging, textiles, automotive, medical and construction

The consumer-goods side of the business also took centre stage at the fair. NASCON unveiled three new seasoning products — Dangote Classic, Dangote Beef Seasoning and Dangote Chicken Seasoning — as a major highlight of the Group's Special Day.

NASCON Managing Director Aderemi Saka said the products reflect the company's commitment to product innovation, greater consumer choice and quality seasoning solutions tailored specifically to Nigerian consumers.

The message from the fair was consistent: Nigeria's largest industrial group intends to keep building, and the country's leading business chamber expects government to clear the path.