Deaths and Illness at Sugar Refinery Owned by Africa's Richest Man

Owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR) is the biggest supplier of sugar in sub-Saharan Africa.

Jennifer Ugwa, an investigative journalist from Nigeria, and her colleague Amos Abba became aware that local communities were complaining of illnesses and that farmers’ livelihoods were ruined because their crops were failing.  They spoke to Dangote workers whose duties included spraying crops.  The latter told the reporters they suffered chest pains, breathing difficulties and painful rashes.  

One of the sprayers they interviewed in 2022 said medical x-rays had revealed lesions on his lungs. He died in 2023. The journalists discovered Dangote workers were spraying chemicals banned in other countries for causing cancer, or harming people’s kidneys and livers. A ban was to have been imposed in Nigeria but its introduction was being repeatedly delayed.  

These two young journalists - now both in the US having won prestigious journalism fellowships - were determined to establish if the land in the immediate vicinity of the refinery showed any signs of contamination. Thanks to a Journalismfund Europe's grant, they commissioned laboratory tests to establish the level of contamination.  The results of the tests confirmed the community’s worst fears.  

DSR also did not respond to whether it had contributed to high levels of toxic heavy metals in water sources near the plant. But in its annual report, DSR claimed it has an excellent environmental track record. The company said it carried out “monthly full environmental monitoring in line with NESREA regulations”, uses an effluent treatment plant to treat its wastewater before it is released, and employs accredited companies to dispose of its waste.