Africa’s richest man has rekindled talk about a possible
takeover of English Premier League side, Arsenal. He will become the first
African to buy an English club.
In a wide ranging interview with the Bloomberg news
portal, Aliko Dangote said he will be in a good position to decide on that
ambition after his private refinery located in Nigeria’s commercial capital,
Lagos, is completed.
Responding to whether major stakeholder Usmanov and
Kroenke will sell their shares in the London club, Dangote said: “When we
finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to [present them an offer
that makes them consider walking away], adding “If they get the right offer,
I’m sure they’ll walk away.
“The first thing I would change is the manager. He has
done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.”
His first move after a takeover if it does happen will
have to do with the managerial post currently occupied by Frenchman Arsene
Wenger: “The first thing I would change [if I become #AFC owner] is the
manager. He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck,” he
added.
He also disclosed plans by the Dangote group to extend
its global footprints in the United States and Europe with up to $50bn
investments.
Excerpts of the interview bordering on his overseas
investments is reproduced below:
Bloomberg: So
do you think you’ll ever get into renewables?
Aliko
Dangote: We will get into renewables, of course, but we’ll try
and partner. Beginning in 2020 our major investment will be in the U.S. and
Europe.
Bloomberg:
And that will be in renewables?
Aliko
Dangote: I think renewables is the only way to go forward, and
the future.
Bloomberg: How
much do you intend to invest outside Africa?
Aliko
Dangote: Beginning in 2020, 60 percent of our future investments
will be outside Africa, so we can have a balance.
Bloomberg:
Where outside Africa will that investment be concentrated?
Aliko
Dangote: Mostly in Europe and the U.S., but we can also invest
in Asia, in Mexico.
Bloomberg:
What businesses other than renewables?
Aliko
Dangote: We are looking at petrochemicals but can also invest in
other companies. We must believe in the management and what they are doing. But
the priorities are here for now. In 2020 the priorities will change, and we’ll
diversify because we will have the cash to divest.
Bloomberg: By
2020, how much money can you put in the U.S. or Europe?
Aliko
Dangote: Let’s say that by 2025, I’m looking at between $20
billion and $50 billion. Mind you, we don’t do small things.
Bloomberg:
How do you think it will go over with the people in those countries?
Aliko
Dangote: The market is already big. It’s a big fight. Big enough
for everyone. We will not go alone. We will have partners, too. Having partners
there makes a lot of sense.
His main investment has been in cement production. He
has diversified into agriculture and has entered oil and petrochemical
business.
In the past he responded to issues about why he won’t
rather invest in Nigerian clubs rather than an English club, “The issue is that
if I buy all the Nigerian clubs, the Nigerian flags will continue to remain
here.
‘‘But buying Arsenal will take the Nigerian flag
worldwide. Just like whenever Abramovich is mentioned, the name of his country,
Russia comes up. Everyone knows he’s Russian,” Dangote had said.
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