Africa News
Afreximbank Bets Big on Dangote’s US$100 Billion Dream
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has thrown its weight behind the Dangote Group’s ambitious expansion plans, announcing support for the Nigerian conglomerate as it seeks to grow its turnover to US$100 billion by 2030.
The Group’s leadership presented its long-term growth strategy, “Vision 2030: Supercharging Dangote Group for Long Term Success,” to the Afreximbank Board of Directors and its executive team on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
The strategy outlines a two-phase expansion programme spanning 2025 to 2028 and 2028 to 2030.
During the presentation, Dangote Group outlined plans to scale and optimise its existing platforms and expand capacity across all active sectors. Key initiatives include increasing the capacity of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 1.4 million bpd.
The Group intends to quadruple its fertiliser production from 3 million tonnes per annum to 12 million tonnes per annum, a move that would position the Group as the world’s largest producer of urea fertiliser.
The expansion strategy encompasses rapid growth across other business lines, including cement, rice, and broader food production.
Beyond its current portfolio, the Group identified new investment opportunities in infrastructure , including ports and pipelines, as well as gas, mining, data centres to support Africa’s digital transformation, and power, described as the engine of Africa’s industrial transformation.
To drive growth over the five years, the Dangote Group predicts it will require at least US$40 billion in new investments to realise its continental ambitions.
Recognising the strategic value of the partnership with Afreximbank, Mr Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, said: “Our partnership with Afreximbank is more than financial support; it is about a shared dream for the continent.
When we set out to build a 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery , the largest of its kind in Africa — the Bank believed in our vision when others were sceptical. Without their leadership and trust, the development of the African continent would not be where it is today.
We are joined at the hip with the bank because we share the same mission: to drive local capacity, eliminate our dependence on imports, and ensure Africa’s industrial growth is led by Africans.”
On his part, Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, noted that the engagements demonstrated a strong convergence of purpose to free Africa from dependency and to ensure the continent’s resources are used to the benefit of its people.
He expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to “a formidable bond of partnership to make large-scale investments that will accelerate the changes we desire,” changes that have gained urgency amid increasing global fragmentation and protectionism.
Dr Elombi recalled that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Africa struggled to secure even basic protective materials due to limited production capacity, adding that “even when financing was available, we could not access these essential items.”
He further pledged the readiness of Afreximbank and its Board of Directors to support the realisation of the Dangote Group’s aspirations.
“This is the very purpose for which our institution was created. As is deeply rooted in our DNA, we do not only listen, we execute and convert aspiration into action.”
The event also featured the signing of an agreement for a US$2.5 billion facility underwritten by Afreximbank as part of a US$4 billion senior syndicated term loan in favour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Africa News
Ngizwe Mchunu Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Assault and Remarks on Foreigners
By Staff Reporter
Ngizwe Mchunu is facing backlash after allegedly saying foreign nationals should leave Durban within six days.
The comments came after a video circulated on social media showing him reportedly assaulting a 21-year-old foreign student in South Africa.
In the video, Mchunu is seen confronting the student, which has caused public anger and renewed concern over attacks on foreign nationals. The video has not been independently verified, but it has already gone viral.

He is also reported to have said that some people are “hungry for the blood of foreigners,” a statement that has been widely criticised as dangerous and inflammatory.
Human rights groups and members of the public have called for investigations and urged authorities to take action.
They say such behaviour, if confirmed, promotes violence and harms community relations.
Police have not yet released an official statement on the incident, while the matter continues to attract strong public attention.
Africa News
Foreign Military Attachés Tour ARDA Projects, Commend Zimbabwe’s Agricultural Drive
The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA) today hosted members of the Foreign Military Attachés Association at its Antelope Estate for a familiarisation tour of key development projects being implemented across the country.
The visit offered the delegation an opportunity to appreciate Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation efforts on the ground, particularly initiatives aimed at boosting productivity and strengthening food security.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tour, Defence Attaché for the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe, Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Kern, commended ARDA’s efforts to strengthen national food security and deliver meaningful socio-economic benefits within surrounding communities.

Echoing these sentiments, Zambia’s Defence Attaché to Zimbabwe, Brigadier General Maggie Nakamba, described the programme as impactful and worth emulating, noting that she would explore the possibility of implementing similar initiatives in her home country.
The delegation also expressed keen interest in the wheat production programme, with ARDA targeting 65,000 hectares this season as Zimbabwe consolidates gains towards wheat self-sufficiency. In Matabeleland South Province, a total of 4,000 hectares has been set aside for wheat production, with ARDA responsible for 3,100 hectares.
ARDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tinotenda Mhiko, confirmed that planting is progressing well and remains on course to meet, and potentially surpass, the provincial target.

Director Operations Mr. Washington Katiyo shared the same sentiments, noting that ARDA remains committed to good agronomics in driving productivity and ensuring optimal yields.
The delegation comprised defence attachés from the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Zambia, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Belarus, Mozambique and Namibia, reflecting growing international interest in Zimbabwe’s agricultural development trajectory.
Africa News
Just In: Julius Malema Jailed After 2018 Rally Shooting
EFF leader Julius Malema has been handed an effective seven-year prison sentence by Magistrate Twanet Olivier in the KuGompo City Regional Court.
The ruling relates to an incident at the party’s 2018 Mdantsane rally, where Malema was found guilty of unlawfully firing a weapon.
He was sentenced to five years for the primary charge and an additional two years for a secondary offence.
He was also fined R20,000 on other charges, with the option of serving six months for each if unpaid.
All sentences will run concurrently, resulting in a total effective jail term of seven years
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