Billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote withdrew Sh1 billion in cash from bank 'just to look at it' if it's real or was just on paper, he admitted on Saturday.
Mr Dangote is believed to be currently the richest man in Africa and has heavily invested in manufacturing and agriculture across the continent besides his native Nigeria.
Speaking at an event on Saturday, Mr Dangote, who is known to have interest in cement, coal mining and transport sectors, however cautioned youths against being carried away with richness.
"When you're young your first million is important, but after, the numbers don't mean much," Dangote, a manufacturing tycoon with a range of companies spanning cement to flour, told the Mo Ibrahim forum in Abidjan.
"One day, I cashed 10 million, put them in the boot of my car I put it in my room. I looked at them and thought 'now I believe I have money' and took it back to the bank the next day," he told his audience.
Dangote urged Africans to consider investing in Agriculture and new technology. He also took a swipe on government bureaucracies which he said hampers business development in African nations.
"Often in Africa we spend our projected incomes. There are ups and downs" in business, he warned.Dangote said he regretted the customs and administrative problems that hamper business development throughout the continent.
At one point, Dangote was keen to set cement factory in Kenya which would have traded on low prices in market but the idea is yet to be actualised. He's a close business partner of ODM leader Raila Odinga and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa.