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Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed how attached he is to his mobile phone, saying he would rather be jailed than be forced to give up the device.
Dangote shared the view during an event in Lagos where he presented his “Vision 2030” plan, which focuses on advancing industrialisation across Africa.
The businessman was asked to choose between going for seven days without his phone and losing access to his private jet for the same period.
In his response, Dangote indicated that being separated from his phone would be the more difficult option, describing the possibility as something he would not accept.
“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.
The billionaire also disclosed that his phone holds more than 13,000 contacts, pointing to the scale of his personal and business connections.
“I know that would be almost… my number — I have that number since… Twitter… I have more than 13,000 contacts on my phone,” Dangote said.
Asked about the unusually large contact list, he explained that he does not readily block people, a practice he suggested had helped the list grow over time.
“Wow. Wow. I hardly… I don’t like blocking people, so a lot of people,” he added.
The disclosure highlights the role of mobile communication in maintaining relationships for the industrialist, whose business activities span several sectors of the African economy.
Dangote heads Dangote Group, a conglomerate with interests in cement production, fertiliser, manufacturing and petroleum refining, among other areas.
