Africa’s richest industrialist, Aliko Dangote, says he meets business problems head-on as they arise but makes a point of leaving them at the office so he can keep his professional and home lives apart.

“Every morning, when I get to my office, I’m waiting for trouble to come,” he said. “When it comes, I face it. When I finish in the evening, as soon as I get to my gate, I drop all my problems and enter my house.”

Dangote spoke while delivering the keynote address at the 25th anniversary of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ).

He used the occasion to reflect on his business journey, recalling the financial difficulties he faced while building the Obajana cement plant, particularly the high interest rates banks charged at the time.

He credited his success to vision, tenacity and focus, along with the ability to confront challenges without being overwhelmed by emotion. The view is consistent with remarks he has made in the past, when he said that problems are a daily reality in Africa’s business environment and that he developed a thick skin to cope with them.

Dangote’s remarks come as his group faces fresh challenges in its fast-growing downstream oil business. He has previously complained of sabotage within the sector and of opposition to his refinery projects, including a planned refinery in Kenya, where he said in September that his team was ready for anyone intent on causing trouble.