Business mogul Aliko Dangote has unveiled plans to drive down the cost of cooking gas in Nigeria, a move he says is necessary to ease the burden on households still reliant on firewood.
The proposal, which includes the possibility of bypassing distributors to sell directly to consumers, is already drawing criticism from players in the LPG industry who fear it could distort competition.
Speaking at a session with local and international visitors to his Lekki refinery, Dangote raised concerns over the high cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), noting that despite Nigeria’s gas resources, affordability remains out of reach for many.
Industry groups, however, are not sold on the idea. Some stakeholders say the billionaire’s plan risks edging out existing businesses that have built the LPG market over the past decade. They argue that any attempt to dominate distribution channels could threaten healthy competition and sideline smaller operators.
A former industry leader noted that the LPG market has grown significantly through joint efforts with government and private entities, and warned against approaches that may lead to market control by a single entity. Others voiced skepticism about the feasibility of direct consumer sales, citing the challenges of infrastructure and retail distribution.
Dangote’s team, meanwhile, insists the goal is simple: lower costs, increased access, and a cleaner energy shift for millions of Nigerians.