Dangote Backs Nigeria's Blue Economy to Create 500,000 Jobs

Aliko Dangote, representing Dangote Industries Limited, has expressed support for Nigeria's blue economy initiative, which aims to create 500,000 jobs by investing in aquaculture, hatcheries, feed production, and cold chain logistics. Speaking in Lagos during a stakeholder engagement with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dangote emphasized the importance of private sector participation in implementing national policies for the marine blue economy.

The initiative targets the creation of three million jobs within its first four years, with an annual sector growth rate of seven percent. Dangote identified infrastructure-led industrialization and strong public-private partnerships as essential for unlocking the sector's potential.

He noted that despite Nigeria producing fish, the country still imports fish worth nearly $1 billion annually, highlighting a significant supply deficit. Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, called for stronger collaboration among federal and state governments and the private sector to accelerate the implementation of the national policy.