FG tasks Dangote Sugar on 600,000 Metric Tonnes Target by 2030

News in brief:

-The Nigerian government has tasked Dangote Sugar Refinery to expand production to 600,000 metric tonnes annually by 2030.

-The target aligns with the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan aimed at reducing sugar imports and boosting local production.

The Federal Government has urged Dangote Sugar Refinery to expand its annual production capacity to 600,000 metric tonnes by 2030 as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s sugar self-sufficiency drive.

The call was made by the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh, during a visit to the company’s complex in Numan. He was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, Kamar Bakrin.

According to the minister, the visit formed part of a nationwide inspection of sugar projects in line with the directive of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accelerate Nigeria’s attainment of self-sufficiency in sugar production.

He noted that Nigeria’s local sugar production remains far below the country’s annual consumption of about 1.8 million metric tonnes. Enoh said Dangote Sugar, as one of the three major operators in the sector, has a critical role to play in bridging the production gap.

Target Aligned with National Sugar Policy

The minister said the 600,000 metric tonnes annual production target must be achieved by the company before 2031. He emphasised that the target aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan, which aims to strengthen domestic sugar production and reduce dependence on imports.

Enoh also commended the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) for its efforts in monitoring operators under the sector’s backwards integration programme.

According to him, the level of infrastructure development and investment observed at the Dangote facility demonstrates a strong commitment to the programme.

Government Pledges Support for Industry Growth

The minister said the Federal Government remains ready to collaborate with industry operators to address challenges affecting increased local production.

He noted that issues such as access to affordable long-term financing, often referred to as patient capital, remain a major constraint for operators in the sector.

Enoh added that the government is exploring ways to support companies in accessing the capital required to expand their operations.

Vice President of the Dangote Group, Olakunle Alake, assured the government of the company’s commitment to achieving the 600,000 metric tonnes production target by 2030.

During the visit, the minister and officials of the National Sugar Development Council inspected several operational areas of the facility, including the 6000 tonnes-per-day factory expansion site, sugarcane harvest fields, haulage operations and newly developed fields.

The delegation also toured the mills, boilers, turbine evaporators and the sugar bagging warehouse at the complex.