Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has reached an unprecedented milestone with a net worth of $30.2 billion, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index.The figure reflects an increase of $2.25 billion year-to-date (8%), supported by gains in his cement, oil, and fertilizer businesses. The Bloomberg data also shows that Dangote’s wealth rose by $89.2 million in the past 24 hours, cementing his position as the 75th richest person in the world.Globally, Dangote now stands alongside other industrial magnates such as Gina Rinehart, Eyal Ofer, and Hasso Plattner, each commanding fortunes around the $30 billion mark.Dangote’s fortune is driven largely by the performance of Dangote Cement Plc, the expansion of Dangote Refinery, and his group’s diversified industrial portfolio across Africa.
Analysts attribute his wealth surge to the gradual operational ramp-up at the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery in Lagos, the continent’s largest single-train facility, and continued dominance of Dangote Cement in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Ethiopia.The Dangote Oil Refinery, valued at $20 billion, remains his most valuable asset. Dangote owns a 92.3% stake in the refinery, which has been key to the recent rise in his net worth.The facility is designed to process up to 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily, with production ramping up gradually since its commissioning.His 86% ownership in Dangote Cement Plc is another cornerstone of his fortune. The company, which dominates Nigeria’s cement market and operates plants across 10 African countries, continues to deliver strong earnings amid increased infrastructure development. Shares of Dangote Cement have appreciated steadily in 2025, boosting the market value of his holdings.Beyond cement and oil, Dangote’s wealth is supported by his fertilizer plant with an annual capacity of 2.8 million tonnes of urea, valued using a net present value analysis assuming 50% utilization. He also holds significant stakes in Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, and United Bank for Africa (UBA).
His other interests span agriculture, packaging, and food manufacturing, while his Lagos real estate portfolio, including six residential and commercial properties, is valued using rental capitalization data from CBRE Broll Nigeria.Globally, Dangote now stands alongside other industrial magnates such as Gina Rinehart, Eyal Ofer, and Hasso Plattner, each commanding fortunes around the $30 billion mark.His latest gain cements Nigeria’s representation on the global wealth map, bringing renewed focus to Africa’s private-sector capacity.
