Building a $20 billion project is difficult, but dismantling a long-standing $10 billion-a-year monopoly is clearly harder.

Aliko Dangote has identified the "oil mafia"; a deep-rooted network of international traders and local elites, fighting to protect the massive profits they made from Nigeria's old fuel subsidy regime.

The question now is whether this private refinery can permanently break the back of the import era or if these entrenched forces will eventually find a way to stall its momentum.

Aliko Dangote has detailed the immense opposition facing his refinery from an "oil mafia" invested in Nigeria’s fuel import and subsidy regime. This group, which includes international shipping companies, commodity traders, and local elites, previously profited from a $10 billion annual subsidy program.

Dangote describes the refinery as his most significant risk, facing resistance more "deadly" than drug cartels.

Despite efforts to derail the project to protect the old import-export system, the world’s largest single-train refinery continues operations. Dangote maintains that while the fight against these entrenched interests is ongoing, he is committed to winning.

🇳🇬 Billionaire Femi Otedola buys £53 million 10-bedroom mansion in London

Femi Otedola has acquired a luxury 10-bedroom mansion in London’s St John’s Wood for approximately £53 million. The property, which features a private cinema and spa, was purchased at a significant discount from its 2020 asking price of £75 million.

The deal comes as London’s high-end real estate market faces pressure from rising taxes and borrowing costs.

🇳🇬 World’s largest sovereign wealth fund eyes partnership with Dangote Group on Africa investments

Norges Bank Investment Management, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is exploring a partnership with Dangote Group.

Following talks between CEOs Aliko Dangote and Nicolai Tangen, the $1.9 trillion fund is eyeing sectors like energy, renewables, and agriculture.

The collaboration aims to strengthen Africa's industrial growth, energy transition, and food security through large-scale global capital.

🌍 Airtel billionaire owner Sunil Mittal eyes “once in a lifetime” Africa opportunity after $2.9 billion stake deal

Bharti Airtel founder Sunil Mittal is increasing his company's stake in Airtel Africa to as much as 90% through a $2.9 billion deal.

Operating in 14 countries, the firm is capitalizing on the rapid growth of digital payments and mobile connectivity. The move comes ahead of a planned IPO for its mobile-money business.

FULL LIST: 7 sectors France and Africa are betting on to reshape next wave of investment

African and French leaders have identified seven major sectors expected to drive the next phase of economic cooperation and investment. The sectors are:

Source: Africa Forward Summit

🇳🇬 China confirms that Nigeria is its largest engineering contracting market in Africa

Nigeria is now China’s largest engineering contracting market in Africa. The country also ranks as China’s second-largest export market and third-largest trading partner on the continent.

Major projects like the Lagos Light Rail, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Zungeru Hydropower Station highlight this cooperation.

Recent talks in Beijing aim to further strengthen these strategic and media ties.

🇨🇩 Congo launches new offensive against illegal cobalt mining with help from global firms

Congo’s state cobalt agency, EGC, is launching a new strategy to fight illegal artisanal mining by partnering with industrial giants. The plan involves designating specific "squares" of land within existing concessions for regulated, safer mining.

EGC has already signed a deal with Eurasian Resources Group and is in talks with firms like Chengtun Congo Resources and Virtus Minerals.

Africa is the only continent bordered by four distinct bodies of water that connect it to the rest of the world

To the west lies the Atlantic Ocean, while the Indian Ocean borders the east. To the north, the Mediterranean Sea separates Africa from Europe, and to the northeast, the Red Sea serves as a vital corridor to Asia.

These waters don't just provide beautiful coastlines; they host the world's busiest shipping lanes, like the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz, which are essential for global trade and energy supplies.