Put me in prison rather than take my phone’ — Dangote

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said he would rather be sent to prison than be deprived of his phone, describing losing access to the device as a “no-go area”.

The billionaire businessman made the remark at an event in Lagos where he unveiled his Vision 2030 plan for Africa’s industrial revolution.

Asked to choose between spending a week without his phone or giving up access to his private jet, Dangote said parting with his phone would be more difficult.

“Ah… I think it’s easier you put me in prison than to take my phone away. So, you know, I mean taking my phone away is no-go area, okay?” he said.

Dangote disclosed that he had more than 13,000 contacts saved on his phone, underscoring the role the device plays in managing his extensive personal and business network.

“I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said.

Reacting to the size of his contact list, the industrialist said he rarely blocked people, a habit he suggested had contributed to the number of contacts stored on his device.

“I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people,” he added.

Dangote heads the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, with interests spanning cement, fertiliser, manufacturing and oil refining.