Aliko Dangote: Africa's Richest Man and Business Mogul

Aliko Dangote was born on April 10, 1957, in Kano, Nigeria, into a wealthy merchant family. His great-grandfather, Alhassan Dantata, was one of the wealthiest men in West Africa in the early 20th century.

After his father's death when he was eight, Dangote was encouraged by his mother and extended family to pursue business. He attended Shehu Shagari College and later enrolled at Al Azhar University in Egypt, where he earned a degree in business studies.

In 1977, at the age of 20, he founded Dangote Group with an initial capital of N500,000, focusing on trading essential goods. By the mid-1980s, he transitioned from trading to manufacturing, establishing Dangote Cement Company in 1983, which became a core business of the Dangote Group.

His ventures have significantly impacted the Nigerian economy, creating thousands of jobs and reshaping the industrial landscape. As of June 2026, his net worth is estimated at $36.5 billion.