A Legacy
Built Across Decades
From childhood candy sales in Kano to a $32.5 billion empire — the story of Alhaji Aliko Dangote is the story of Africa's industrial awakening.
Birth of Aliko Dangote
Aliko Dangote is born on April 10, 1957, in Kano, Nigeria. At age 8, he would start reselling candy from his pocket money for profit, showing his early entrepreneurial instincts.
Foundation: $3,000 Loan & First Business
With a $3,000 loan from uncle Usman Dantata plus 3 trucks of cement, Aliko Dangote begins trading cement, rice and sugar. He repays the loan within 3 months.
Creation of Dangote Group
Official incorporation of Dangote Group. The company diversifies into sugar, rice, fish, flour, milk, salt and iron trading and manufacturing.
Launch of Dangote Foundation
Aliko Dangote establishes the Dangote Foundation (later renamed the Aliko Dangote Foundation in 2018), the philanthropic arm of the group.
Acquisition of Benue Cement Company
Dangote acquires Benue Cement Company from the Nigerian government, marking the group's entry into cement manufacturing.
Inauguration of Obajana Cement Plant
Opening of Obajana Cement Plant in Kogi State — one of the largest cement plants in sub-Saharan Africa.
First Stock Market Listings & First Billionaire
Two Dangote Group companies are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX). Aliko Dangote becomes Nigeria's first billionaire.
Forbes Billionaires List Entry
Dangote enters the Forbes Billionaires List with a net worth of $3.3 billion. Dangote Cement becomes the first Nigerian company in the Forbes Global 2000.
First African to Surpass $20 Billion
Aliko Dangote becomes the first African to surpass a net worth of $20 billion, adding $9.2 billion in a single year to rank 30th richest in the world.
$1.25 Billion Endowment to ADF
Dangote donates $1.25 billion to the Aliko Dangote Foundation, making it Africa's largest philanthropic endowment. He commits 25% of his personal fortune to the foundation.
Nigeria Declared Polio-Free
WHO declares Nigeria free of wild poliovirus — a victory achieved through the ADF-Gates Foundation $100M partnership campaign.
Official Inauguration of Lekki Refinery
Official inauguration of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki Free Trade Zone on May 22, 2023. President Bola Tinubu officiates the ceremony. $20 billion total investment.
Refinery Begins Commercial Operations
Dangote Petroleum Refinery begins commercial operations in January 2024, initially processing 350,000 bpd and ramping up through the year.
First PMS (Petrol) Production
The refinery begins producing PMS (Premium Motor Spirit — petrol/gasoline) to Euro-V quality standards in September 2024, further reducing Nigeria's import dependency.
Refinery Achieves Full Capacity — 650,000 bpd
Dangote Petroleum Refinery achieves its full rated capacity of 650,000 barrels per day in February 2026. Nigeria becomes a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
First African to Surpass $30 Billion
Aliko Dangote becomes the first African and first Black person to surpass a net worth of $30 billion, confirmed by both Forbes and Bloomberg.