Aliko Dangote to diversify investments over naira risks

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, on Thursday disclosed plans to diversify his investments to the New York, United States.

The billionaire will take office space in New York to help diversify his investments and avoid the risk of naira fluctuations.

The naira has in recent years, come under pressure against the dollar as crude oil prices dip leading to fall in Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

Dangote said he will use the New York base and an existing one in London to become more global after the completion of a $12 billion, 650,000 barrel-a-day refinery currently under construction.

“In Africa, you know we have issues of devaluation, so we want to really preserve some of the family’s wealth,” he told Bloomberg.

The 62-year-old Nigerian businessman became $4.3 billion richer in 2019 as his fortune continued to grow on the back of investments in cement, flour and sugar.

With a net worth of about $15 billion, he is ranked the 95th wealthiest man in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

– The Nation