**Africa Can't Keep Exporting Raw Materials – Dangote** Africa's leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has sounded a clarion call to the continent's energy industry to break away from its dependence on exporting raw materials and importing finished products. This is a familiar scenario in Nigeria, where we export crude oil but import refined petroleum products. Speaking in Lagos, Dangote emphasized the need for Africa to adopt a more autonomous development path, where the continent processes its own raw materials rather than relying on foreign countries for finished goods. He stressed that this new approach will enable Africa to drive its own economic growth and development. Dangote's call to action is being put into practice through a landmark agreement between Dangote Industries Limited and GCL Group, a Chinese energy conglomerate. The two companies have signed a $4.2 billion deal to supply natural gas to Dangote's fertilizer production complex in Ethiopia. This deal will enable the production of urea fertilizer, a key crop nutrient, for the East African region. The project is expected to be a game-changer in the region, reducing reliance on imported fertilizers and promoting agricultural self-sufficiency. Once operational, the complex will be the largest modern fertilizer production hub in East Africa, meeting Ethiopia's current demand and supplying neighboring countries. This initiative aligns with Africa's broader objective of establishing an integrated energy-to-food value chain, leveraging local resources to drive industrial autonomy. By processing its own raw materials, Africa can reduce its reliance on foreign countries and create jobs and economic opportunities for its people. As Nigeria and other African countries strive to develop their own industries and reduce their dependence on foreign countries, Dangote's call to action is a timely reminder of the importance of processing raw materials on the continent. With the right investments and partnerships, Africa can break away from its raw material export dependency and drive its own economic growth and development.