Suara Sherif
Dangote Industries is set to acquire its own vessels to transport products from Nigeria to markets across West and Central Africa, as limited shipping capacity and rising road transport costs continue to constrain the group’s regional expansion.
The move is expected to give the conglomerate greater control over its logistics while improving the efficiency and competitiveness of its exports.
The decision comes as Dangote faces growing difficulties in securing adequate shipping capacity for regional trade.
Sada Ladan-Baki, Head of International Trade and Export at Dangote Cement, said the company had encountered serious challenges securing vessels, including for a 1,000-metric tonne consignment destined for Ghana.
Reliance on road transportation has also increased the cost of moving products across the region.
Goods heading to Ghana must pass through neighbouring countries such as Benin and Togo, exposing exporters to additional taxes and charges that raise logistics costs and weaken the competitiveness of Nigerian products.
The planned fleet comes as maritime transportation becomes increasingly important to Dangote’s wider operations.
The $20bn Dangote Refinery has contributed significantly to the growth of Nigeria’s seaborne petroleum product exports and is expected to handle about 600 vessels annually, covering both crude imports and refined-product exports.
The development could also strengthen Nigeria’s maritime industry.
If the vessels are registered under the Nigerian flag, the acquisition could increase national shipping capacity while creating employment opportunities for Nigerian seafarers and other professionals involved in maritime trade.
For Dangote, owning its shipping fleet could turn a major logistics constraint into a competitive advantage.
If successfully implemented, the strategy could reduce transportation bottlenecks, support the group’s expansion across African markets and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian exports.
