Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that he would rather be sent to prison than be separated from his mobile phone, describing the device as an essential part of his daily life.
The Nigerian billionaire made the remarks during an event in Lagos where he unveiled his Vision 2030 plan. He was asked to choose between spending a week without his mobile phone and giving up access to his private jet.
Dangote made it clear that losing his phone would be far more difficult, emphasising how important the device is to him.
“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.
How many contacts does Dangote have on his phone?
Dangote also disclosed that his mobile phone contained more than 13,000 contacts, reflecting the extensive network of personal and professional relationships he has built over the years.
The business magnate revealed that he has maintained the same mobile number since 2000, allowing him to stay connected with people across different industries and backgrounds.
“I have had that mobile number since 2000. I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” he said.
Explaining how his contact list had grown to such a large number, Dangote said he rarely blocks people and remains willing to answer their calls.
“I hardly…I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people have my number. I answer my calls,” he added.
Who is Aliko Dangote?
Dangote is the chairman of the Dangote Group, one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates, with interests spanning cement production, fertiliser manufacturing, oil refining and other sectors.
Through his business empire, the billionaire has established himself as one of the continent’s most influential industrialists, with investments playing a significant role in Africa’s manufacturing and energy sectors.
Dangote is also investing in Kenya, where construction of his planned KSh 2.2 trillion ($16 billion) oil refinery in Lamu County was officially launched on September 30. The facility is designed to process 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily and is expected to reduce East Africa’s reliance on imported fuel while creating thousands of jobs.
