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“To succeed in business, you must build a brand and never destroy it. One competitive advantage I had when I ventured into manufacturing was my brand ‘Dangote,’ which I diligently built in the course of my trading commodities.” – Aliko Dangote

“Don’t kill the competition. Competition is healthy for businesses. It keeps you the entrepreneur on your toes.” – Aliko Dangote

‘‘We [Dangote Group] are not doing like other Africans who keep most of their money in the bank. We do not keep money in the bank. We fully invest whatever we have and we keep on investing. ’’ – Aliko Dangote

“I built a conglomerate and emerged the richest black man in the world in 2008 but it didn’t happen overnight. It took me 30 years to get to where I am today. Youths of today aspire to be like me but they want to achieve it overnight. It’s not going to work. To build a successful business, you must start small and dream big. In the journey of entrepreneurship, tenacity of purpose is supreme.” – Aliko Dangote

I took time to organize Aliko Dangote’s business worldview. I am updating “The Dangote System: Techniques for Building Conglomerates” with new lessons.

I have argued that nations rise via many phases. Phase 1 is enshrining the Rule of Law in the land. Phase 2 is Energy Security.  Possibly, while Dangote can provide cement security, etc for Nigeria/West Africa, any attempt for Energy Security will not come easily, because that will distort the global energy market system. Simply, Nigeria may not solve the fuel or electricity problem unless we have uncommon radical leaders, to decouple us from the global lords.

If Africa can overcome the energy challenge, many things will open up. But I doubt the possibility because energy is synonymous with global battle, and Nigeria does not seem to be ready to fight. Shut them from electricity, shut down from fuel; you will keep them poor!