This is an expose culled from Wikileaks review of Nigeria's Entrepreneur and Industrialist par excellence, Alhaji Dangote, Dangote Group. Incisive and revealing.
¶1. (C) Summary. Alhaji Aliko Dangote (Dangote) is Nigeria’s most well known
businessperson and may be its wealthiest citizen.
To detractors, he is a predator using connections in a corrupt political economy to tilt
the playing field in his favor and sideline potential competition.
The truth resides somewhere between these caricatures.
Dangote is counted among President Obasanjo’s inner circle of business
advisors. It is no coincidence that many products on Nigeria’s import
ban lists are items in which Dangote has major interests.
He has taken on the aura of an economic folk hero for some, villain for others.
To supporters, he symbolizes that Nigeria can do more than barter and
trade. It can succeed in manufacturing.
¶2. (C) Summary Cont’d: Although an undiluted success in terms of wealth accumulation,
Dangote personifies the duality in Nigeria’s economy.
This duality presents a dilemma for US economic policy. On one hand, Dangote imports
significant amounts of US produce and equipment for his manufacturing
ventures. On the other, he has had success blocking trade and investment
that might compete with his enterprises.
Weighing everything in the balance, we believe the Dangote model is harmful to Nigerian and
American interests in the long run.
Unfortunately, the Dangote model will likely be the one most emulated until its beggar-thy-countrymen
contradictions become more apparent. End summary.
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