Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has debunked allegations that his company is attempting to monopolize the downstream oil sector, as the Dangote Group rolled out 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered trucks in Lagos.
Speaking at the official launch, Dangote said the group has invested over ₦2 trillion in trucks and logistics to ease fuel transportation and improve energy efficiency across Nigeria. He explained that the introduction of CNG trucks was not designed to edge out independent marketers but to stabilize the energy supply chain, reduce costs, and provide reliable alternatives to petrol and diesel.
“We are not here to take anyone out of the market,” Dangote said, stressing that the company’s investment will support, not stifle, competition in the sector.
According to him, the deployment of the 4,000 trucks has already created about 24,000 jobs, with employees earning up to four times the national minimum wage. He added that the group has procured 10,000 trucks in total, combining CNG-powered and dry cargo carriers, and that by the end of November, at least 10,250 CNG trucks would be operational.
Dangote also revealed plans to introduce electric vehicles by January 2026 as part of a broader strategy to modernize Nigeria’s transport system and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The businessman noted that Dangote Refinery currently lifts around 40,000 tonnes of diesel monthly, while over 1.6 billion litres of refined products have already been exported. The newly deployed CNG trucks, he said, are now loading petroleum products directly from the refinery for distribution to filling stations nationwide.
Dangote emphasized that the group’s focus remains on generating jobs, easing the daily struggles of Nigerians, and positioning the country as a hub for industrial and energy innovation. He maintained that contrary to claims of monopoly, the company’s initiatives are designed to complement the efforts of other players in the sector.
