By Merit Ibe
Chairman, African Industries Group (AIG), Mr. Raj Gupta, has said the group runs an inclusive and sustainable business models that benefit stakeholders and positively impact the environment and society, which is driving a new economic revolution that will put Nigeria at the global stage of top performers across key sectors.
Gupta hinted that the strategy of continual investment in Nigeria which the group employed over the last few decades has integrated it deeply into the domestic economy and has positioned it to contribute to the overall industrial development of Nigeria.
Within the last five decades of engaging in responsible business practices, the Group has evolved into a driving force in various sectors in Nigeria, with interests in mining, metals, power, decoratives, logistics, farming, chemicals, consumer durables, engineering products, research and development and packaging.
Within the period, AIG, a diversified global conglomerate has been at the frontline, promoting Nigeria’s quest for excellence and sustainable growth, contributing to the country’s socio-economic and industrial growth along the line.
With footprints across all sections of the country, evident by traces of viable investments in Maiduguri, Kano, Kaduna and Abuja in the North, to Owerri, Asaba and the country’s economic hubs of Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states in the South.
In their 52 years of operations in Nigeria, AIG has established around 35 manufacturing units, built 11 business verticals that have employed more than 10,000 employees.
Within the last 20 years, AIG has been able to build an investment portfolio in Nigeria that is worth over $2 billion.
Although, time could be a key factor for the success of AIG in Nigeria, Gupta said the group’s success is attributable to deliberate steps that they have taken.
“From the onset, we decided to run an inclusive and sustainable business model that not only benefit stakeholders but also positively impact the environment and society.
“We currently have the largest non-oil FDI investment in Mining and Processing, and are the largest Iron and Steel Manufacturer, as well as the largest manufacturer of high purity refined lead in Nigeria.
“We are also the market leader and most trusted brand for Aluminium products, exclusive distributor of world-renowned brands of engineering tools and pioneer in flat sheet glass manufacturing in the country as well,” Gupta disclosed.
On power, since over two decades now, AIG has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s energy evolution, focusing in recent times on renewable energy.
From generation, transmission to distribution, AIG has been providing total energy solutions to numerous customers. So far, they have 145 Mega Watts of installed thermal power plant capacity and have completed around 20 Mega Watts of Solar plants for different customers across West Africa.
According to Gupta, AIG has been supplying power to Nigeria’s National Grid since 2016. It is also on record that it was AIG that commissioned the first solar power project supplying power to industry in Nigeria.
“We are at the forefront of supporting the energy needs of Nigeria and at the same time supporting its sustainability future. We are leading Nigeria’s sustainability future and have reduced 9,655MT CO2 equivalent emission/ annum which is also equivalent to planting 44,000 trees,” he said.
In the mining sector, AIG has been identified as a key contributor to current efforts being put into the development of Nigeria’s mining sector.
From Exploration, Mining, Beneficiation to Trade, Gupta said AIG has made a commitment to continue to offer social and economic benefits to all stakeholders in the Mining Value Chain (MVC).
The group has set up a fully integrated iron ore mining and steel processing plant in Kaduna state, the first of its kind in Nigeria.
The group has invested over US$600 Million in iron ore mining and steel processing, making it one of Nigeria’s largest non-oil foreign direct investment (FDI) investment.
The firm currently has over 5 million tonnes per annum iron ore mining capacity, with also over 60,000 Meters drilled on multiple solid minerals across multiple states in Nigeria.
According to Gupta, the group, through its iron ore mining and processing business line, has created over 4,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Nigerians across various lines of professionalism.
“We are committed to driving Nigeria’s socio-economic development, leading employment generation in rural areas.”
“In specific terms, our Iron ore mining and processing plant will reduce steel scrap usage and reduce the import of steel thus helping to reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange needs” Gupta said.
According to him, the usage of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) produced by the firm will improve productivity and efficiency of steel plants in Nigeria, adding also that it will position Nigeria as one of the prominent Crude Steel producers in the world.
AIG’s efforts in the development of the mining sector have been hailed by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake.
Alake who gave the commendation during a visit to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd (ANRML), an iron ore mining and processing company in the African Industries Group located at Gujeni, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, along with the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, expressed happiness over the company’s compliance to the call for those seeking to mine in Nigeria to acquire proper licensing.
“This is a company that is worthy of emulation, and I commend the firm for this remarkable achievement,” Alake said.
The firm also got similar rating from the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, who commended the group and the company for making effort to galvanize the nation’s steel sector.
*Metals*
AIG has one of the largest production capacities for steel, aluminium, and lead products in Nigeria. The group has the capacity to produce over 26,000 Metric tonnes of refined lead every year.
“We are not only one of the largest manufacturers of various metal products but also the most quality conscious and sustainable in its processes,” Mr. Gupta said.
He also pointed out that, AIG runs the most environmentally friendly operations, saying, “We are continuously working on waste reduction and emission controls as per Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines of International Finance Corporation and World Bank.
“We also undertake scrap recycling as per European standards, supporting the environment. Our Aluminum roofing sheets are environmentally friendly containing a large percentage of recycled matter. They are also recyclable, making them a rare waste in landfills,” he said.
In chemicals, AIG has earned the reputation of being a leading supplier and manufacturer of quality chemical products and industrial gas in the West African region. The group has one of the largest combined production capacities in Nigeria for various types of Chemicals. It has state-of-the-art production facilities and a varied product portfolio catering to diverse industries.
Giving details on this, the group’s Chairman said: “Our state-of-the-art Double Conversion and Double Absorption (DCDA) process is used to produce Sulphuric Acid.
Our Sulphuric acid is used mainly by battery companies, fertilizers, steel industry, refineries, power plant, oil & gas sectors and industrial catalyst to facilitate chemical reactions.
“Liquid and solid sodium silicate produced at AIG is used by soaps and detergents manufacturers, Tiles, Mining, and steel industries. We have a premium quality caustic soda that is used across industries like glass, paints, cosmetics, ceramics, Paper, pulp, and cellulose production. Just to also mention that ALUM manufactured by AIG is the most efficient and effective purification agent for treatment of wastewater. It is used in various waterworks across Nigeria. It is also used in the Paper Industry for purification and paper sizing,” he added.
Speaking on the core values that drive AIG’s innovations and quality pursuit, AIG’s Director, Legal Services, Ms. Chiamaka Okeke said: “The power of AIG are the principles and priorities that guide our actions.”
Using the power acronym, Okeke said, the group is driven by being Passionate for Quality, Operational Excellence, undiluted Work ethics and integrity, Enhanced customer value and Respect for the individual.
AIG has instituted a number of Social Impact projects, as a way of giving back to the society, which according to Okeke are centred on Community Development, Health and Hygiene as well as Women Empowerment.