The Rise of Aliko Dangote: How He Built a Business Empire And Made His Money
Aliko Dangote, the founder and CEO of the Dangote Group, is widely regarded as one of the wealthiest and most influential businessmen in Africa. With an estimated net worth of $17.8 billion as of 2023, Dangote is a self-made billionaire whose success is a testament to his business acumen and determination.
Born in Kano, Nigeria, in 1957, Dangote studied business at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. After completing his studies, he returned to Nigeria and started a small trading firm in 1978. Dangote’s business initially focused on importing and selling commodities like rice and sugar, but he later ventured into manufacturing and production.
Dangote’s big break came in the mid-1990s when he secured a loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria to start a cement manufacturing plant. The plant, which was completed in 2001, was the first of its kind in Nigeria and helped to reduce the country’s dependence on cement imports. Dangote later expanded his business into other sectors, including flour milling, sugar production, and oil refining.
Today, the Dangote Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Africa, with operations in more than 10 countries. The company’s products are sold in over 50 countries around the world, making Dangote one of the most successful African entrepreneurs of all time.
