Dangote ponders rice  growing in Zambia

Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

From  OSCAR MALIPENGA

Lagos, Nigeria

DANGOTE Group of companies is currently studying the possibility of investing in rice production in Zambia, chief corporate communications officer Anthony Chiejina  has said.

Briefing Zambian journalists at the headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria yesterday, Mr. Chiejina said because there was already cement production in Zambia, rice growing and production would soon come on board after studying the market. “We are studying the market right now. Since we have already started with cement, the same is going to happen (rice production) in Zambia soon,” he said. And Mr. Chiejina said Dangote group of companies would definitely be eying the Zambian petroleum market once its US$ 12 billion refinery plant is completed in 2019.

Mr. Chiejina  further explained that since the petroleum refinery will be producing 650, 000 barrels per day, the company would be looking beyond the Nigerian market. “We are also looking at the Southern region market because producing 650, 000 barrels is huge and highly commendable,” he said. Mr. Chiejina was responding to a question by Daily Nation reporter who wanted to find out when Dangote group of companies would expand its investment in Zambia as earlier pronounced by its president Aliko Dangote in January 2017.

Mr. Chiejina said Dangote group of companies did not mind investing in rice production and supplying fuel because it had already recorded successes in cement plantation.