Dangote Industries Limited President and Chief Executive Aliko Dangote has announced an anticipated investment of approximately US$2.5 billion in Namibia through the development of a petroleum storage facility and a regional pipeline network, positioning Walvis Bay as a strategic energy distribution hub for Southern Africa.
Speaking at the official launch of the Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline Investment at Farm 58 in Walvis Bay on 4 November 2026, Dangote said the investment represents a major step towards strengthening Namibia’s energy security, improving regional fuel supply and supporting industrial development across neighbouring countries.
The project will be developed on approximately 70 hectares and is expected to provide 600 million litres of petroleum storage capacity, equivalent to approximately four million barrels. The facility will comprise 360 million litres of diesel storage and 240 million litres of petrol storage, alongside truck-loading, dispensing and associated distribution infrastructure.
A key component of the investment is a proposed 1,700-kilometre regional pipeline network that will connect Walvis Bay to markets across Southern Africa. The planned route will extend towards Otjiwarongo, with branches northwards towards Rundu and eastwards towards Ghanzi and Francistown in Botswana. The wider network is intended to serve Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and the southern Democratic Republic of Congo. The final pipeline route and length will be determined through detailed engineering studies, route surveys and regulatory approvals.
Dangote said the investment is expected to reduce logistical challenges, improve the reliability of petroleum supply and provide landlocked countries with alternative and more efficient access to fuel. For Namibia, the project is expected to create opportunities in transportation, warehousing, construction and related services, while supporting local contractors, professionals, young people and small and medium-sized enterprises.
He emphasised that the investment goes beyond establishing a petroleum storage facility, describing it as part of a broader continental strategy to develop infrastructure that connects production, storage and distribution across African markets.
“Africa must industrialise Africa,” Dangote said, highlighting the importance of mobilising African capital, strengthening public-private partnerships and developing infrastructure that supports economic transformation.
He further noted that the Dangote Group’s approach to investing across the continent is centred on long-term participation, reinvestment and creating opportunities within host countries rather than simply generating profits.
As part of this broader strategy, Dangote referenced the group’s planned US$16 billion refinery and petrochemicals complex in Lamu, Kenya, which is expected to have a refining capacity of 700,000 barrels per day and incorporate 1,000 megawatts of power generation capacity. He also highlighted the group’s industrial investment in Ethiopia, valued at more than US$4 billion, as well as the recently launched US$660 million refined petroleum products corridor connecting Damerjog in Djibouti to Dewele in Ethiopia.
According to Dangote, these investments form part of a deliberate effort to establish interconnected energy and industrial infrastructure that strengthens regional trade, reduces supply chain costs and improves Africa’s economic independence.
He also expressed appreciation to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the Namibian Government for their support in facilitating the investment, acknowledging the role of the National Planning Commission, the Erongo Regional Governor and African financial institutions, particularly Afreximbank, in advancing major infrastructure developments on the continent.
Dangote reaffirmed the group’s commitment to responsible investment, environmental stewardship, safety, local procurement and community participation, noting that the successful implementation of the project will require continued collaboration between governments, regulators, financial institutions, businesses and host communities.
Looking beyond the US$2.5 billion investment, Dangote indicated that the group’s ambitions in Namibia extend further, expressing interest in exploring additional investment opportunities with the government.
He revealed that the Dangote Group’s continental investment ambition, previously set at US$50 billion towards 2030, has since increased to US$60 billion.
“What we are launching today represents an investment of US$2.5 billion, but Namibia deserves much more. Give us more opportunities. We want to invest more. We want to do more with your government,” he said.
The investment is expected to strengthen Walvis Bay’s position as an Atlantic gateway for regional energy trade while supporting Namibia’s ambition to develop infrastructure that contributes to economic growth, industrialisation and stronger regional integration.