Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman, industrialist, and the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Dangote Group, the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa. His net worth was estimated at $25.1 billion in November 2023, placing him among the world's wealthiest individuals and making him the richest person in Africa. Dangote's business empire includes divisions in Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Cement, and Dangote Flour, and the company employs more than 11,000 people across West Africa.

After studying at Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, Dangote returned to Nigeria and began working with his uncle at the age of 21. Dangote Group now dominates the sugar market in Nigeria and has diversified interests in salt factories, flour mills, banking, transport, textiles, oil, gas, and real estate. The company is also a major importer of rice, fish, pasta, cement, and fertilizer.

Dangote has overseen significant milestones in Nigerian industry. In February 2022, he completed the Peugeot assembling facility, and in May 2023, he commissioned the Dangote Refinery, which aims to export surplus petrol and diesel. Furthermore, Dangote was awarded Nigeria's second-highest honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), and served as a member of President Goodluck Jonathan's economic management team in 2011.

In addition to his business accomplishments, Dangote has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He has worked alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on public health issues, donated millions to halt the spread of Ebola in Nigeria and aid those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. He also donated towards the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

In recognition of his influence and accomplishments, Dangote has received numerous honors. For six consecutive years, Forbes listed him as the "Most Powerful Man in Africa". He was also named Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2014, listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2014, named as one of the "50 Most Influential Individuals in the World" by Bloomberg Markets in 2015, and received the "2016 African Business Leader Award".

Today, Dangote continues to impact various sectors, serving on the board of the Corporate Council on Africa, the steering committee of the United Nations Secretary-General's Global Education First Initiative, the board of directors of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and the board of One Campaign. He also serves as the co-chair of the US-Africa Business Center and was appointed the founding Chairman of the Nigeria End Malaria Council by President Buhari in August 2022. His influence and contributions continue to shape the Nigerian and African business landscapes.