Aliko Dangote to invest $2.3 Billion in Rice and Sugar Production in Nigeria’s Northern Region

Nigeria and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, have announced plans to invest $2.3 billion in rice and sugar production in Nigeria’s northern region in a bid to combat poverty and insurgency. Dangote, who was speaking during a plenary session at the World Economic Forum currently being held in Abuja, Nigeria, said that creating jobs was a crucial way of putting an end to the insurgency that has plagued the northern region in the last few years. Also, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has promised further investment in Africa. Speaking during a keynote address during the forum earlier today, Kegiang announced that China had set aside $2bn for an African Development Fund and promised delegates that China’s support for Africa was non-conditional, stating that the country would not interfere in the internal affairs of African countries. The World Economic Forum on Africa is taking place in Abuja, Nigeria from the 7th – 9th of May.