LAGOS—Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, cautioned Monday that worsening Middle East tensions could force Nigeria and other African countries into pandemic-style work-from-home mandates if oil prices keep surging.
Speaking after meeting President Bola Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence, the billionaire highlighted risks to debt-strapped African economies from volatile global energy costs.
“Africa lacks savings reserves,” Dangote said. “People live hand-to-mouth many won’t eat if they don’t work that day.”
He cited Indonesia’s four-day workweek and potential full remote shift due to energy pressures, akin to COVID-19 lockdowns. “Some countries now tell everyone to work from home because they can’t afford otherwise. Indonesians work four days a week; if it worsens, no one goes in like COVID, all remote.”
Dangote stressed Africa’s vulnerability to a distant crisis, with rising costs likely outstripping wage hikes. “It’s not just energy—some will exploit it to profit,” he added
