According to a report by Daily Trust on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that he would rather go to prison than lose access to his mobile phone, describing the device as indispensable to his personal and business activities.
Dangote made the remark during an event in Lagos, where he unveiled his Vision 2030 plan outlining his ambitions for industrial development and business expansion.
During the event, the billionaire businessman was asked to choose between spending a week without his mobile phone and giving up access to his private jet.
Responding to the question, Dangote indicated that losing his phone would be considerably more difficult than sacrificing access to his private jet, emphasising the importance of the device in his daily life.
“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.
His response drew attention to the central role mobile communication plays in the operations of one of Africa’s most influential business figures.
Dangote also disclosed that his phone contained more than 13,000 contacts, offering a glimpse into the extensive network of relationships he has built throughout his career.
According to him, the large number of contacts reflects his interactions with people across different sectors and his preference for maintaining connections rather than cutting them off.
“I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said.
Explaining why his contact list had grown to such a size, the industrialist said he rarely blocked people, suggesting that his approach to maintaining relationships had contributed to the number of contacts saved on his device.
“I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people,” he added.
For a businessman whose interests span multiple industries, a mobile phone can serve as an important tool for communication, coordination and decision-making. Dangote’s remarks highlighted how essential direct access to contacts can be in managing a large business network.
The billionaire is the chairman and founder of the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, with operations covering cement production, fertiliser manufacturing, food processing and oil refining, among other sectors.
The group has played a significant role in Nigeria’s drive to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and reduce dependence on imported products.
One of its most prominent investments is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos. Designed with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the facility is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s petroleum supply and support the country’s broader industrial ambitions.
Dangote has also continued to promote investments aimed at strengthening local production, creating jobs and expanding African industries.
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