Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, says he is not overly concerned about the recent U.S. tariffs on Nigerian goods, expressing optimism that his company stands to benefit from the trade policy shift. Speaking at an investment forum in Lagos on Thursday, Dangote said the U.S. administration’s 14% duty on Nigerian imports is unlikely to derail his company’s export momentum — especially with Algeria, a major competitor, facing even stiffer penalties.

Dangote Fertiliser, which started full operations in 2022, exports more than a third of its 3 million metric tonnes of urea production to the United States. “Initially, I was a bit worried,” Dangote admitted. “But then I looked at our real competition — Algeria. And fortunately, they were hit with a 30% tariff.”

The tariffs, introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump as part of a sweeping trade agenda, sparked concerns across Nigeria’s business landscape. However, a 90-day suspension of the tariffs has provided temporary relief and space for dialogue between the two countries.

Despite the international trade turbulence, Dangote revealed bullish growth expectations for his conglomerate. He announced that the Dangote Group — a leading force in fertiliser, cement, and refining — is on track to exceed a $30 billion valuation by 2026, surpassing its current $25 billion projection for 2025.

The group’s recent achievements include the opening of Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, further cementing its dominance in the region’s industrial landscape.

“We are building a business that is resilient and future-focused,” Dangote said. “Our aim is to drive industrial growth across Africa and continue strengthening our position globally.”

As the company expands its reach and investments, Dangote’s message to investors was clear: the group remains well-positioned to weather global uncertainties and seize emerging opportunities.