Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has spoken out about his struggles against the "oil mafia" in building and running his $20 billion refinery, one of Africa's largest private-sector investments. In a recent interview, Dangote revealed that the project, which cost over $20 billion, has been the biggest risk of his life.

The Dangote refinery, situated on a 6,200-acre complex in Nigeria's Lekki Free Zone, processes roughly 500,000 barrels of oil per day. Despite its massive scale, the project has faced numerous challenges, including a contentious relationship with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The NNPC initially refused to sell crude oil in local currency, inflating the price of the product, and later reduced its proposed stake in the refinery from 20% to 7%.

In addition, the NNPC failed to provide the promised 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day, leading Dangote to file a lawsuit against the corporation in September 2024. The lawsuit, which is still pending, aims to stop the NNPC from importing and selling refined gasoline products. Despite these setbacks, the NNPC began supplying oil to Dangote's refinery in October, but hinted last month that it would cut back on its supply.

Dangote has been vocal in his criticism of the NNPC, accusing it of being part of Nigeria's "oil mafia." "The oil mafia is more deadly than the one in drugs because, with the oil mafia, there are so many people that are involved," Dangote said. "You might be wining and dining with them, but these are the guys that are the masters of moving things around."

Despite these challenges, Dangote remains committed to the refinery's success. "I've been fighting battles all my life," Dangote says, "and I have not lost one yet." The refinery is expected to reach its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day next month, making it the largest refinery in Africa and the sixth largest in the world.

The implications of Dangote's struggle against the "oil mafia" are far-reaching, highlighting the challenges faced by private investors in Nigeria's energy sector. The success of the Dangote refinery, despite these obstacles, serves as a testament to Dangote's resilience and determination. As the richest black person in the world, Dangote's story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and investors across Africa.

In conclusion, Dangote's battle against the "oil mafia" is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by private investors in Africa's energy sector. Despite these obstacles, Dangote's determination and resilience have enabled him to build one of Africa's largest private-sector investments, a testament to his unwavering commitment to Nigeria's economic growth.