Billionaire Aliko Dangote Advocates for Healthcare Self-Sufficiency at Gates Foundation Event
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has called for an end to health tourism in Nigeria, urging stronger local investment in pharmaceutical production and deeper collaboration with global health organizations.
Speaking at the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers event in Lagos — the first to be held on African soil — Dangote emphasized the need for Nigeria to become self-reliant in healthcare delivery.
“What we need to do is make sure we stop this health tourism and start producing our drugs,” said Dangote during a panel discussion with Bill Gates.
A Call to Strengthen Local Pharmaceutical Capacity
Dangote pointed out that despite Nigeria’s wealth and human capital, citizens — including the affluent, continue to seek medical care abroad. He warned that overreliance on foreign healthcare weakens domestic innovation and widens inequality in access to medical treatment.
Drawing a parallel to his success in other industries, he referenced Nigeria’s transformation from Africa’s second-largest cement importer to a major exporter under his conglomerate.
“If we can turn our cement sector around, we can do the same with healthcare,” he asserted.
Lessons from Agriculture and Energy Successes
Beyond health, Dangote highlighted other achievements that reflect the power of local investment. He cited the Dangote Fertilizer plant, now the second-largest globally, which exports 37% of its output to the U.S. — a testament to Nigeria’s agricultural resurgence.
He also praised the recent success of the Dangote Refinery, which in May exported over 400,000 metric tons of petrol, significantly reducing the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
High-Level Attendance and Shared Vision
The event was attended by global philanthropist Bill Gates, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, and other key figures in development and policy.
The Goalkeepers event reviewed global progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and spotlighted innovative leaders like Dangote, who are driving transformative change across Africa.
Conclusion
Aliko Dangote’s call to end health tourism is more than a nationalistic appeal — it is a strategic move toward medical sovereignty, economic independence, and healthcare equity for Nigeria. His message is clear: investing in local capacity and stopping exporting hope abroad is time.
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