By Rukayat Moisemhe

NASCON Allied Industries Plc has unveiled three new Dangote seasoning products at the 40th Lagos International Trade Fair as part of efforts to diversify its food products portfolio and strengthen its presence in Nigeria’s consumer market.

The products, Dangote Classic, Dangote Beef Seasoning and Dangote Chicken Seasoning, were unveiled during the Dangote Group Special Day at the fair by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NASCON, Mrs Aderemi Saka.

Speaking at the launch, Saka described the introduction of the products as a milestone in the company’s transformation into a more diversified food products company.

She said NASCON, known for its salt refining business, entered the seasoning market in 2014 in response to changing consumer preferences and the need to expand its product offerings.

“For over 50 years, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, also known as Dangote Salt, has been a leading salt refiner in Nigeria and a trusted name in Nigerian households.

“The reintroduction of Dangote Classic and the introduction of Dangote Beef Seasoning and Dangote Chicken Seasoning reflect our commitment to product innovation, greater consumer choice and quality seasoning solutions specially tailored to Nigerian consumers,” she said.

Saka said the company would continue to develop products that enhance everyday cooking, enrich meals and deliver value to households across the country.

She described the Lagos International Trade Fair as an important platform for engaging consumers, distributors and business partners, while showcasing the company’s expanding product portfolio.

Group Executive Director, Commercial Operations, Dangote Industries Ltd., Mrs Fatima Aliko-Dangote, said sustainable economic growth must be anchored on production, noting that manufacturing creates jobs, develops skills and transforms raw materials into higher-value products.

She said the conviction informed the Dangote Group’s transition from trading to manufacturing and continued to drive its investments across critical sectors of the African economy.

Aliko-Dangote said Dangote Cement had an installed production capacity of about 55 million tonnes annually across Africa, while the Group’s investments in petroleum refining, fertiliser and other industries were helping to strengthen local production and reduce dependence on imports.

She also highlighted the Group’s investments across Africa, including projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Namibia.

According to her, a 140 million dollar tank farm near Walvis Bay, Namibia, is expected to strengthen the country’s position as a strategic Atlantic energy gateway.

She said that under its Vision 2030 growth agenda, the Group planned to increase the capacity of Dangote Petroleum Refinery from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day.

It also plans to increase fertiliser production capacity to 12 million metric tonnes and expand polypropylene production to support industries such as packaging, textiles, automotive, medical and construction.

Aliko-Dangote described trade fairs as more than platforms for buying and selling, saying they provided opportunities for innovation, business partnerships and economic connections.

President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Leye Kupoluyi, described Dangote Industries Ltd. as a benchmark for industrial audacity in Nigeria.

He said the Group’s investments in cement, fertiliser, petroleum refining and consumer goods demonstrated the capacity of the private sector to drive industrial development and strengthen domestic production.

Kupoluyi said Nigeria was gradually transitioning from macroeconomic stabilisation towards production-led prosperity, citing improvements in economic growth and external reserves.

He identified the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other large-scale manufacturing investments as examples of private-sector initiatives capable of reducing import dependence and expanding domestic productive capacity.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to accelerate efforts to address structural challenges confronting manufacturers, particularly unreliable electricity supply, high transportation and logistics costs, and the need for predictable fiscal policies.

According to him, addressing the challenges will reduce the cost of doing business, improve industrial competitiveness and encourage similar large-scale manufacturing investments across other sectors of the economy.(NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran