My Money Is Clean, I Am Not Part Of The Corruption – Dangote Replies Critics

Billionaire Aliko Dangote has responded to critics accusing him of corruption, stating that his wealth is a result of strategic investments and entrepreneurship, not special treatment. In a Bloomberg feature, it was alleged that Dangote's success came from sectors where imports were banned or restricted, such as sugar and cement.

The report referenced a 2007 cable published by WikiLeaks in which Consul General Brian Browne praised Dangote but criticized his practices. Dangote defended himself, saying he simply capitalized on opportunities that others missed.

He also acknowledged the challenges of getting his $20 billion oil refinery operational in Nigeria, a country with limited public services. Despite these challenges, Dangote's net worth has risen by $1 billion in the past three months, reaching $28 billion, largely due to the refinery making Nigeria a net exporter of petroleum products for the first time in three decades.

Dangote denied any wrongdoing, including having preferential access to foreign exchange for building the refinery.