Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man and one of the world’s most influential business leaders, with a net worth of nearly $30 billion as of January 2026. He is the founder and chairman of the Dangote Group, a diversified conglomerate spanning cement, sugar, salt, and the recently launched Dangote Refinery, which is Africa’s largest oil refinery.

Early Life & Education

• Born: 10 April 1957, Kano, Nigeria

• Family: Comes from a prominent business family; great-grandson of Alhassan Dantata, one of West Africa’s wealthiest men in the early 20th century.

• Education: Studied business at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, earning a bachelor’s degree.

Career Journey

• 1977: Founded the Dangote Group, initially trading commodities such as sugar, salt, and rice.

• 1990s–2000s: Expanded into manufacturing, notably Dangote Cement, which is now Africa’s largest cement producer.

• 2010s–2020s: Diversified into oil and gas, culminating in the Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion project in Lagos, Nigeria, designed to meet Nigeria’s fuel needs and export refined products globally.

• Global Standing: Ranked as the 91st richest person in the world and the wealthiest Black individual.

Business Empire – Dangote Group

• Dangote Cement: Operates in 10 African countries, producing over 45 million metric tonnes annually.

• Dangote Sugar Refinery: One of Africa’s largest sugar refineries.

• Dangote Salt & Flour Mills: Major players in Nigeria’s food industry.

• Dangote Refinery: Africa’s largest oil refinery, with capacity to refine 650,000 barrels per day.

Recognition & Influence

• National Role: Appointed to Nigeria’s Economic Management Team in 2011 by President Goodluck Jonathan.

• Global Recognition: Frequently listed among the most powerful and influential people in Africa and globally.

• Philanthropy: Through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, he has donated millions to health, education, and poverty alleviation initiatives across Africa.

Quick Facts