African Oil Shortage Cements Dangote's Continental Monopoly
Source: NYT > Business (paywall)
As traditional oil supplies tighten and African nations face fuel crises, Dangote's refinery has become a critical chokepoint for the continent's energy independence. A single Nigerian industrialist now controls infrastructure that African governments depend on, giving Dangote asymmetric pricing power and political leverage across the region. The refinery replicates the same dependency dynamics that previously locked Africa into imported fuel relationships—only the intermediary has changed from Western traders to one billionaire's asset.