Dangote Group Orders 1,000+ Natural Gas Trucks

The recent deal was formalized in Beijing between Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, and the top leadership of BAIC FOTON. Key executives present included Chang Rui, Chairman of BAIC FOTON, and Fu Jun, the company's President of International Business, signaling a high-level commitment to the partnership. This acquisition of over 1,000 CNG tractors and semi-trailers will primarily support the logistics and distribution for Dangote Cement, as well as other industrial activities. The deal also includes provisions for after-sales service, technical support, and the potential for local assembly, which will be managed by Kewalram Autos. The move to CNG offers a significant economic advantage, with the fuel priced around 230 naira ($0.17) per liter, compared to gasoline which can exceed $0.55. For long-haul routes, this shift is expected to drastically reduce fuel expenses, lower carbon emissions, and insulate the company from the volatility of diesel prices. This investment is part of Dangote's broader strategy to operate a predominantly CNG-powered fleet by mid-2026. In September 2025, Aliko Dangote revealed that the conglomerate had purchased a total of 10,000 trucks, which included the previously announced 4,000 CNG tankers and an additional 6,000 trucks for dry cargo. Dangote's push into gas-powered logistics aligns with Nigeria's national "Decade of Gas" initiative. Launched in 2021, this government program aims to transform Nigeria into a gas-powered economy by 2030 by encouraging the use of the nation's vast natural gas reserves for transport, industry, and power generation. The country is actively working to expand its refueling infrastructure to support this transition. A national program is in place with the goal of converting one million vehicles to CNG by 2027, a target that large-scale corporate adoption by companies like Dangote will help to advance.