Alhaji Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman who has been ranked as the richest person in Africa for several years. His influence in the business world is so profound that it is simply not feasible to discuss the richest men in Africa without prominently featuring him.
As the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa, Dangote’s business acumen has not only earned him wealth but also immense respect across the continent.

Early Life and Education
Aliko Dangote’s intriguing early life and educational journey laid the foundation for his remarkable career. Born on April 10, 1957, in Kano, Nigeria, he was born into a privileged Hausa, Muslim family. His mother, Mariya Sanusi Dantata, was the daughter of the esteemed businessman, Sanusi Dantata, while his father, Mohammed Dangote, shared business ties with Dantata. In a fascinating part of his family history, Dangote’s mother’s side links to Alhassan Dantata, a notable figure who was the richest person in West Africa until his passing in 1955.
Dangote’s educational path began at the Sheikh Ali Kumasi Madrasa. He then continued his studies at Capital High School in Kano. In 1978, he marked a significant milestone by graduating from the Government College, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa. Afterwards, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Al-Azhar University in Cairo.

Dangote Group
Dangote Group started its journey in 1977 as a small trading firm. At that time, Dangote had relocated to Lagos to expand his business horizons. To kick-start his trading enterprise, he got an NGN500,000 loan from his uncle, which he invested in commodities like bagged cement, rice, and sugar.
A pivotal moment for the company came in the 1990s when Dangote proposed to the Central Bank of Nigeria to manage their staff buses, a proposal that was accepted.
Fast forward to today, the Dangote Group has evolved into one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, with a presence spanning Benin, Ghana, Zambia, and Togo. It has transitioned from a trading company to become Nigeria’s biggest industrial group, housing divisions such as Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement, and Dangote Flour.
Dangote Group is a dominant force in Nigeria’s sugar market, supplying 70 per cent of the market’s needs to soft drink companies, breweries, and confectioners. With over 18 subsidiaries operating in ten African countries, the Dangote Group is a major player in the region’s business landscape. One of its notable subsidiaries, Dangote Cement, is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and accounts for nearly 20 per cent of the exchange’s total capitalisation. The headquarters of the Dangote Group is located in Lagos, Nigeria.

Aliko Dangote

Philanthropy
Aliko Dangote is not only known for his business acumen but also for his significant philanthropic efforts through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF). Established in 1994 as Dangote Foundation, its core mission has been to create positive social change through strategic investments that improve health, promote quality education, and expand economic empowerment opportunities.
Over two decades, the foundation has grown to become the largest private charitable foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, supported by a significant contribution from Aliko Dangote himself, making it the largest endowment by a single African donor. A primary area of focus for the Aliko Dangote Foundation is child nutrition, with an approach that extends to health, education, empowerment, and disaster relief.
The foundation collaborates with both state and national governments, as well as numerous reputable international and domestic charities, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies to further its humanitarian initiatives. One of the most significant collaborations undertaken by the Aliko Dangote Foundation is its partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, along with key northern state governments in Nigeria. This partnership, which began in 2013, has been dedicated to eradicating polio and strengthening routine immunisation efforts in Nigeria.

Awards and Recognition
Aliko Dangote has garnered numerous prestigious awards and honours throughout his illustrious career. These accolades reflect his significant contributions to various fields and his impact on both the Nigerian and global stages. In recognition of his exceptional achievements, he was awarded Nigeria’s second-highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Also, he received the Afreximbank Founder of the Year Award in June 2023.
His accolades extend beyond Nigeria, as he was conferred with the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger award by His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger, in 2022.
In the same year, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the apex body representing employers in the organised private sector.

Aliko Dangote’s impact has reached international shores as well. In June 2021, he received Cameroon’s highest civilian honour, the Commander of the National Order of Valour, from President Paul Biya. He was also recognized globally when TIME magazine featured him in its list of the ‘Most Influential People in the World’ in April 2014.
For six consecutive years from 2013 to 2018, Forbes recognized him as the ‘Most Powerful Man in Africa,’ underscoring his influence and leadership in the continent. Furthermore, Bloomberg Markets acknowledged Dangote’s global influence by listing him among the ‘50 Most Influential Individuals in the World.’

New Strides of the Dangote Group
The Dangote Group, a conglomerate with a rich history dating back to the late 1970s, has made remarkable strides and left an indelible mark across various industries. Founded by Aliko Dangote, this venture initially began with a modest trading operation dealing in sugar and other consumer goods, thanks to a $3,000 loan from his uncle.
As the years rolled on, the group embarked on a journey of expansion and diversification. A pivotal moment came in 1981 when Dangote established Dangote Nigeria Limited and Blue Star Services. During this era, acquiring import licences for commodities like steel, baby food, and aluminium products became a focal point for the group. Cement soon became a significant addition to the group’s portfolio, even competing with global giant, Lafarge, in the African cement market. The group adapted to changing times, focusing on bulk imports of salt, sugar, and rice when import licensing ceased in 1986, while gradually reducing its cement business.
One of the jewels in the Dangote Group’s crown is Dangote Cement Plc, a major player in the cement industry in Africa. It has an impressive production capacity across multiple African countries, including Nigeria. The Obajana plant in Kogi State, Nigeria, stands as the largest in Africa, further reinforcing the group’s dominance in the industry.
Dangote Sugar, another subsidiary, has also made significant contributions to the Nigerian sugar sector. The company’s sugar refining facility at Apapa, Lagos State, is the largest in Africa, emphasising its commitment to local value addition and sustainability.
Throughout its journey, the Dangote Group has continually evolved and diversified, now encompassing various sectors and regions. Its corporate strategy revolves around building local manufacturing capacity, generating employment opportunities, and contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria and beyond. With its commitment to innovation, the Dangote Group remains a beacon of success in the business world.