NEW YORK - Thursday, September 26th 2013 [ME NewsWire]
Speaking at the New York Stock Exchange, Mr. Aganga said “investor confidence in Nigeria is rapidly gaining momentum with a significant number of Nigerian and global companies investing in Nigeria.”
For the second year running, the United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD) reports for 2013 and 2012 ranked Nigeria as Africa’s number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Nigeria was ranked fourth globally in terms of average returns on investments at 35.5%. The country’s current growth rate is between 6%-7%, well ahead of the global average.
Recent major announcements and investments in 2013, such as the Dangote Group’s USD$9 billion investment and GE's USD$1 billion (USD$250 million for capital investment commitment in 2013 with expected completion of construction in 2017) and Power investments, would bolster Nigeria’s position to maintain its lead as Africa’s number one investment destination and potentially surpass the 2012 FDI figure.
Minister Aganga further said the recent investment by the Dangote Group of USD$9 billion to build one of Africa’s largest industrial complexes and oil refineries in Nigeria is a “significant manifestation of investor confidence in Nigeria and provides a major boost to the country’s industrial sector and long-term growth prospects.”
In early September 2013, the Dangote Group signed a $3.3 billion loan finance deal with Nigerian and foreign banks to fund the investment to build the largest oil refinery in Africa as well as a fertiliser and petrochemical plant that would not only see Nigeria attain self sufficiency in refined petroleum products but also become a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of 2016.
Mr Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, said: “As an investor who believes in Nigeria, knows Nigeria well and whose prosperity was made in Nigeria, we are confident in the long term growth prospects of this great country.
“Our recent investment of over USD$9 billion will turn Nigeria into an exporter of petroleum products for the first time ever and play a valuable role in Nigeria’s long term GDP.”
The oil refinery is to be located at the Olokola Free Trade zone (OKFTZ) and will be the largest oil refinery in Africa. Currently Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer but lacks refining capacity and has to import most of its fuel.
Mr Aliko Dangote yesterday in New York announced plans to invest additional sum of USD$7 billion, in cement, sugar, rice as well as oil and gas downstream projects. This will bring the total investment to $16 billion.
Commenting on the latest landmark $9 billion investment, Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BOI), Ms Evelyn Oputu said: “ it would produce the most fundamental positive impact on the structure, growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.”
“The Bank of Industry is fully committed to providing financial and business support services to facilitate the transformation of Nigeria’s industrial sector, domestication of the country’s production capacity and it’s long term economic growth.”
Commenting on GE’s investments in Nigeria the Global Chairman and CEO of General Electric, Mr Jeffrey Immelt said: “The time is now and the place is Nigeria. Where we are now is the point of execution. The Government of Nigeria has made significant progress in its economy within the last few years. GE, as a global infrastructure company, will be investing USD$1 billion in Nigeria within the next five years, which will create about 2,300 jobs. We see a lot of opportunities in Nigeria.”
Contacts
For enquires and interviews in New York with Minister Aganga
Mr Juwon Sofola
Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment on Investment
Phone: +234-809-803-3980
Email: jsofola@gmail.com
Mr. Waheed Olagunju
Executive Director Bank of Industry Limited
Tel: +234-803-403-2123
Email: wolagunju@boinigeria.com
Ms Terhas Berhe / Ms Lynette Lambert
Brand Communications
Phone: +44-020-7638-6856
Email: terhas@bc-uk.com/lynette@bc-uk.com
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