Aliko Dangote, Africa’s very own business colossus and Nigeria’s pride, has undoubtedly built an empire that can make even oil sheikhs green with envy. From sugar to cement, and now a massive oil refinery that seems to be in competition with the sun for the title of “biggest thing in the sky,” Dangote is undeniably the king of industries. But, even kings have moments when their crowns tilt. Yes, even Dangote, with all his billions, has experienced some business ventures that left him shaking his head like my uncle after tasting poorly seasoned Egusi Soup.
This is going to be a series of several articles and we’ve titled it “Failing Forward”. In these series, we will be exploring 10 business failures of prominent local and international entrepreneurs. The goal is not to make a mockery of their entrepreneurial endeavours, but to showcase their entrepreneurial resilience and re-emphasize that failure is an integral part of achieving business success.
10 Startup Ideas of Aliko Dangote that Failed
Let’s take a look at ten of these ventures that didn’t quite go as planned, and see what we can learn from the bumps in the road—because if Dangote can stumble, my friend, who are we not to?
1. Dangote Airlines: A Flight that Never Left the Runway
At one point, Dangote thought he could conquer the skies. But as we would say, “No be everything wey dey fly be airoplane.” Dangote Airlines was set to revolutionize domestic travel, but before it could really take off, it crashed under the weight of regulatory hurdles and the notorious inefficiency of Nigerian infrastructures, a perfect way to say it was dead on arrival . With competition from already established carriers, the skies were not as friendly as they seemed. The venture didn’t take flight, literally, and had to be grounded faster than a generator during NEPA power outage. A lesson here? Not all big ideas can fly—sometimes you just have to waka pass.
2. Dangote Pasta: When Nigerians Stuck to Rice
When you’re Dangote, you’re expected to take over every market you enter. But when it came to pasta, well, We Nigerians decided that we weren’t ready to swap our beloved jollof rice for spaghetti bolognese just yet. Though Dangote Pasta hit the shelves, it didn’t quite reach the plates of the people. The market was already crowded with stiff competition, and the logistics of distributing pasta in a country where moving goods can feel like trying to pass through Lagos traffic at 5 PM didn’t help. In the end, it was a “no show” for Dangote in the pasta market—trust me there was no need to boil water for this one.
3. Dangote Sugar’s Sweet but Sour Experience
Dangote’s sugar business has been a resounding success in refining raw sugar, but when he tried to diversify into processed sugar products, let’s just say things got a little too sticky. Moving from raw material to finished goods can be tricky, and this time, the finished products didn’t sweeten the deal as anticipated. Competing with cheaper imported goods was like trying to sell gala to someone who already has suya in their hand—tough, tough market! The dream of turning sugar into candies and soft drinks melted away faster than ice cream under the Nigerian sun.
4. Dangote Cement in South Africa: A Lesson in Knowing When to ‘Go slow’
Now, Dangote Cement is the king of the Nigerian construction market, but when it ventured into South Africa, it was a different ball game entirely. Imagine showing up to a party only to realize that everyone else there knows each other, and you’re the new guy standing awkwardly in the corner—that was Dangote Cement in South Africa. With heavy competition from established players and a regulatory system that seemed to have more red tape than a Valentine’s Day gift, the venture couldn’t replicate its success. The company had to scale back operations, realizing that sometimes it’s better to stay on your own lane. You know what they say, “when in doubt, respect yourself.”
5. Dangote Oil Refinery: Delays That Made Us Say ‘Ah-ah, Is This A Refinery or A Tortoise Race?’
These days, everyone in Nigeria knows about the Dangote Oil Refinery, and while it’s now closer to becoming a reality, the road has been anything but smooth. Financing this monumental project was so challenging that even Dangote probably had to call a few friends to “assist with something small.” Add to that construction delays that stretched on and on, and you had Nigerians wondering if the refinery was going to finish before Messi retires from playing football. But, as they say, “slow and steady wins the race,” and this refinery, though delayed, is finally coming home—like a prodigal son, but this time with oil barrels instead of stories.
6. Dangote Telco: When Even a Billionaire Can’t Get Network
If you think trying to get network on your phone someone deep inside a your remote village is tough, try starting your own mobile network. Dangote’s attempt to enter the telecommunications space was a bold one, but unfortunately, it never materialized. Between fierce competition from established giants like MTN and Globacom and regulatory hurdles that were harder to clear than our Nigerian Customs checkpoint, the venture couldn’t connect. It turns out, even if you own half of Nigeria’s industries, “no network” is still a valid excuse.
7. Dangote Tourism: When There’s No Light, Where Are You Going to Tour?
Nigerians love a good holiday, but they also love reliable infrastructure—and therein lay the problem with Dangote’s tourism dreams. With plans to build luxurious resorts and attract tourists to Nigeria’s untapped beauty spots, Dangote was ready to make Nigeria the new Dubai. But let’s be honest, if there’s no steady electricity or running water, even the finest resort will struggle. The venture flopped like a bad Nollywood sequel. Lesson learned: you can’t build tourism with infrastructure that’s missing like a politician’s promise after elections.
8. Dangote Textiles: When Cheaper Goods Keep Beating Your Ankara
At one time, Nigeria’s textile industry was booming, and Dangote thought it was time for a revival. But alas, cheaper imported textiles—especially from China—flooded the market and left Dangote’s dreams spinning like a malfunctioning tailor’s sewing machine. Nigerians, ever cost-conscious, favored the lower-priced imports over locally produced goods. The venture faced such stiff competition that it was forced to close its shop faster than a roadside tailor once NEPA takes light. No matter how grand the vision, sometimes, it’s the small things—like price tags—that dictate success.
9. Dangote Logistics: The Only Thing Moving Fast Was the Cost
For a man who moves goods across continents, setting up his own logistics company seemed like a logical step. However, in Nigeria, where potholes are more common than billboards, it’s no surprise that this venture ran into trouble. The Nigerian road network can sometimes resemble a scene from a survival movie, and trying to run a smooth logistics operation was like trying to drive a Ferrari through Makoko—impossible! Bureaucracy, infrastructure issues, and delays slowed down the venture, proving that not even Dangote can escape the wrath of our Nigerian roads.
10. Dangote Agribusiness: When Nature Refuses to Cooperate
Dangote has tried his hand at agriculture multiple times, with plans to turn Nigeria into an agrarian powerhouse. However, as any Nigerian farmer will tell you, agriculture is not for the faint of heart. Between unpredictable weather, government policies that change as often as fuel prices, and a lack of reliable infrastructure, many of Dangote’s agricultural ventures struggled. His tomato paste venture, for example, was plagued by supply chain issues, leaving the plants idle like a keke driver waiting for passengers on an empty road. In agriculture, it seems even the richest man in Africa can’t control Mother Nature—or the Nigerian government.
Final Thoughts: Even Our Billionaires ‘Ojukokoro’ Moments Weren’t All To The Dust.
While these ventures may not have panned out as expected, Aliko Dangote’s ability to pivot and persevere is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. After all, as we Nigerians like to say, “no be every soup dey sweet,” but that one no mean say, make you stop to dey cook.
His failures are proof that success is built on a foundation of resilience, adaptability, and, sometimes, a good sense of humor when things don’t go as planned. Because if Dangote, with all his resources and clout, can face these challenges, who are we mere mortals to give up on our own dreams?
