Africa's Richest Man Aliko Dangote Unveils New Industrial Projects In Nigeria

Aliko Dangote plans to build Nigerias largest seaport at the Olokola Free Trade Zone while reviving a stalled 6-million-metric-ton cement plant in Ogun State.

Dangotes Itori cement plant, set for completion by November 2026, will boost Ogun States cement production capacity to 18 million metric tons per year.

Dangotes refinery, running at 85 capacity, is expanding crude storage and exporting fuel to Cameroon, Angola, Ghana, and South Africa.

Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced plans to build Nigerias largest seaport at the Olokola Free Trade Zone OKFTZ in Ogun State. At the same time, his company is restarting work on a 6-million-metric-ton-per-year cement plant in Itori, also in Ogun State, now scheduled for completion in November 2026.

During a visit to the nearly 800 million Itori cement plant, Dangote expressed frustration over past delays, blaming the previous administration for twice demolishing the project. Once completed, the facilityspanning 533 hectareswill increase Ogun States cement production capacity to 18 million metric tons per year, making it the highest cement-producing region in Africa.

Alongside the cement plant, Dangote revealed plans to revive the long-abandoned Olokola Free Trade Zone, citing support from Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun as a major factor. The 10,500-hectare zone, originally set up in 2004 as a joint venture between Ogun and Ondo States, was designed to support oil and gas manufacturing, gas supply, and export processing.

The project had been stalled for years due to legal battles, infrastructure challenges, and bureaucratic delays. Now, with renewed government backing and Dangotes commitment, the zone is set for a fresh startas the site of Nigerias largest seaport.

We had abandoned our vision for the Olokola Free Trade Zone, but with Governor Abioduns policies and investor-friendly environment, we are back, Dangote said. We will work with the government to bring this project to life, and plans are already in motion to construct the countrys largest port.