Aliko Dangote- Panacea to Africa’s problems

The entry of Dangote industries into the Zambian market is a clear manifestation that Africa should start to focus on embracing African innovations, creations and investments. The introduction of Dangote cement on the Zambian soil is not only timely but exposes the very ills that have engulfed the sector that has lobbied millions of country men and women that have belaboured to put up decent structures. We have for a long time been subjected to exploitative prices by the existing cement manufacturers, who seemingly have connived with the powers that be to steal from their poor populations especially in the recent years where the country has witnessed unprecedented infrastructure development. Suddenly, the prices of cement have drastically fallen following the grand entry of Dangote cement on the local industry. Since time immemorial, Nigeria has been synonymous with crookedness on the continent yet the very situation Zambia has been looking for is emanating from this very country. Let me hasten to mention that the Dangote investment in Zambia was lately heavily engaged in frustration by some cash few hungry people, mostly in government that threw all manner of accusations for the investment to collapse but the company officials remained resolute in pursuit of their aspirations. Culturally, Africa has never been known to a pioneer or facilitate development since its inception, as tribes, brothers and communities have always risen against each other. Development in Africa came with the visitors but seemingly, African entrepreneurs such as Aliko Dangote are reshaping the destiny of the continent through the massive investments littered across. He is currently, aggressively expanding his investments or business empire across several African countries like Zambia to ensure that the continent develops its export potential from what is predominately import driven economies. It is therefore my hope that Dangote be used, as a model of solving African challenges using indigenous resolutions. For Zambia, this could be an opportunity for local business men and women to start doing it rather than merely dreaming. However, this should be in conformity with the political administrators of our times to ensure they facilitate an enabling environment in embracing local investments. Government should be able create and facilitate an enabling environment for opportunities to invest in all spheres of life rather than political patronage, as the case seems to be in the road sector. Zambia really needs to build its millionaires to ensure that the country benefits to the fullest and curtail the dependence syndrome on multi-national institutions that seem to be milking us our resources.