Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote revealed his group’s plans to invest up to $50 billion in the manufacturing sector in Africa by the end of 2030, noting that Algeria intends to enter the field of production of linear alkyl benzene. (LAB) With an annual capacity of 100 thousand tons, through a strategic petrochemical project under implementation in Skikda, according to Naqla’s statements. Business Insider Africa website“.
Dangote, the richest man in Africa, explained during a meeting organized by the Egyptian Stock Exchange that the expansion plans include the energy, petrochemicals, building materials and agricultural sectors, as part of a strategy aimed at enhancing industrialization on the continent. He also announced a project to establish a linear alkyl benzene factory in Egypt with a capacity of up to 400,000 tons annually, which he described as the largest of its kind in the world.
Speaking about this substance used in the detergent industry, Dangote pointed out that there are two factories to produce it in Africa, one of which is a project in Algeria with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, and the other in Egypt with a capacity of 50,000 tons. However, the Algerian project, which is being implemented by Sonatrach in partnership with the Italian company Tecnimont, is still under construction and its launch is supposed to take place in November 2027.
Linear alkyl benzene is used as a raw material in the manufacture of household and industrial detergents, and is considered one of the petrochemical products linked to supply chains in the cleaning materials sector.
With a value exceeding 1 billion dollars.. an Italian company to complete a petrochemical complex in Skikda
In Algeria, Sonatrach signed, In March 2024a contract with the Italian company “Technimont” to complete a petrochemical compound to produce this substance in Skikda, at a total cost of $1.05 billion, and with a targeted production capacity of 100 thousand tons annually.
The project aims to cover the national market’s needs for linear alkyl benzene, which was imported, by converting the kerosene and gasoline produced at the Skikda refinery into the final material, allowing for better valuation of local raw materials.
The completion period of the complex is estimated at 44 months, while Sonatrach has concluded an agreement with the National Bank of Algeria to finance 65 percent of the value of the engineering, supply and construction contract. The project is expected to contribute to the development of industrial fabric related to cleaning materials, in addition to providing job positions for the Algerian workforce.
Regarding the group’s plans, Dangote said that his companies aim to raise their revenues to at least $100 billion by 2030, with his expectation of exceeding this level, in parallel with pumping extensive investments in African manufacturing.
The projects he revealed include plans to establish a 530-kilometre marine gas pipeline, in addition to electricity generation projects with a capacity of up to 10,000 megawatts, in an effort to provide the energy needed to support industrial activity.
In the cement sector, the group seeks to raise its annual production capacity to 100 million metric tons by 2030.
