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Dangote
Aliko Dangote
Rank #70
NIGERIA•Manufacturing•Cement, sugar

Aliko Dangote

Net Worth
$32.639B
0% (24h)
Aliko Dangote, born on April 10, 1957, is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist. His primary source of wealth is cement and sugar manufacturing. Through the Dangote Group, he has built a vast industrial empire, becoming the richest person in Africa. His career began in 1977 with trading commodities, expanding into manufacturing and other sectors. Dangote's achievements include establishing the largest cement producer in Africa and the Dangote Refinery, the world's largest single-train refinery. He is known for his significant contributions to the Nigerian economy and his philanthropic efforts through the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

How to read Aliko Dangote's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Aliko Dangote, we anchor the narrative to Cement and Cement, sugar, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $32.639B alongside global rank #70, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (NIGERIA) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Aliko Mohammad Dangote was born on April 10, 1957, in Kano, Nigeria. He came from a wealthy Hausa family of merchants. His maternal great-grandfather, Alhassan Abdullahi Dantata, was the richest person in West Africa until his death in 1955. Dangote was raised in a Muslim household and attended the Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa and Capital High School in Kano. He then studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business studies and administration in 1978.

Rise to Success

Dangote began his entrepreneurial journey at age 21, using a loan from his uncle to trade in commodities. He started with rice, sugar, and cement, later expanding into manufacturing. In 1981, he founded the Dangote Group, which grew into a vast conglomerate with operations across multiple sectors. The Dangote Group has become the largest conglomerate in West Africa, with significant holdings in cement, sugar, salt, and flour. Dangote's strategic move from trading to manufacturing was crucial to his success.

Key Business Strategies

Dangote's business strategy focused on vertical integration and regional expansion. He built a strong brand, "Dangote", which gave him a competitive advantage. Key ventures include Dangote Cement, the largest cement producer in Africa, with plants in several countries. The Dangote Refinery in Lagos is a monumental project, expected to be the world's largest single-train refinery, transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products. In 2026, Dangote Group aims for $30 billion in revenue.

Philanthropy

Aliko Dangote is also known for his philanthropic activities through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which he incorporated in 1994. The foundation focuses on health, education, and economic empowerment, with the goal of improving the lives of people in Africa. The foundation has contributed significantly to initiatives in health, nutrition, education, and disaster relief. Dangote has invested $1.25 billion in the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

Career Timeline

2023

Launched Dangote Refinery

Commissioned the world's largest single-train refinery.

2011

Awarded Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger

Received Nigeria's second-highest honor.

2007

Commissioned Obajana Cement Plant

Opened the largest cement plant in Sub-Saharan Africa.

1981

Founded Dangote Group

Established Dangote Group, which grew into a large conglomerate.

1977

Began Business Career

Started trading in commodities with a loan from his uncle.

Philanthropic Impact

Health, Education, and Economic Empowerment$1.25B

Aliko Dangote Foundation

Supports health, education, and economic empowerment in Africa.

HealthUndisclosed

Polio Eradication

Partnered with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others.

Humanitarian AidUndisclosed

Disaster Relief

Donations to communities affected by disasters.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Dangote Cement85.00%—

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Aliko Mohammad Dangote was born on April 10, 1957, in Kano, Nigeria. He came from a wealthy Hausa family of merchants. His maternal great-grandfather, Alhassan Abdullahi Dantata, was the richest person in West Africa until his death in 1955. Dangote was raised in a Muslim household and attended the Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa and Capital High School in Kano. He then studied at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business studies and administration in 1978.

Rise to Success

Dangote began his entrepreneurial journey at age 21, using a loan from his uncle to trade in commodities. He started with rice, sugar, and cement, later expanding into manufacturing. In 1981, he founded the Dangote Group, which grew into a vast conglomerate with operations across multiple sectors. The Dangote Group has become the largest conglomerate in West Africa, with significant holdings in cement, sugar, salt, and flour. Dangote's strategic move from trading to manufacturing was crucial to his success.

Key Business Strategies

Dangote's business strategy focused on vertical integration and regional expansion. He built a strong brand, "Dangote", which gave him a competitive advantage. Key ventures include Dangote Cement, the largest cement producer in Africa, with plants in several countries. The Dangote Refinery in Lagos is a monumental project, expected to be the world's largest single-train refinery, transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products. In 2026, Dangote Group aims for $30 billion in revenue.

Philanthropy

Aliko Dangote is also known for his philanthropic activities through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, which he incorporated in 1994. The foundation focuses on health, education, and economic empowerment, with the goal of improving the lives of people in Africa. The foundation has contributed significantly to initiatives in health, nutrition, education, and disaster relief. Dangote has invested $1.25 billion in the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Aliko Dangote are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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