Precious Nwonu, Enugu

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to invest more than $10bn in Africa’s power sector over the next three to four years as part of efforts to address the continent’s electricity shortage.

Dangote disclosed this in an interview with Al Jazeera published on Monday, stressing that reliable electricity supply was essential to Africa’s economic and industrial development.

According to the billionaire businessman, the planned investment is part of a broader strategy aimed at driving significant economic transformation across the continent.

He said the group was considering redirecting funds from some business ventures, including a possible steel project, towards investments in electricity generation and related infrastructure.

“We want to invest over $10 billion alone in power,” Dangote said.

He expressed concern over the number of Africans still without access to electricity, saying more than 600 million people across the continent remain without power.

Dangote described the situation as unacceptable and argued that expanding access to reliable electricity should be a major priority for African governments and businesses.

“It is something that we Africans should not really allow. Over 600 million of our people to remain in darkness,” he said.

The Dangote Group president also linked electricity supply to the ability of governments to promote economic growth and improve living standards.

He argued that political leaders who deliver reliable electricity and other essential services would have less difficulty convincing voters of their performance during election periods.

Dangote maintained that power remains a fundamental requirement for industrialisation, economic expansion and job creation.

“Power is key. We will never, ever create growth without power,” he said.

He added, “That’s why they say, power is growth.”

The planned investment comes amid persistent electricity supply challenges across several African countries, where inadequate generation capacity and infrastructure continue to constrain industrial and economic activities.