Aliko Dangote
From West Africa's wealthiest trading dynasty; turned a family loan into the continent's largest industrial group.
Aliko Dangote was born in 1957 in Kano, Nigeria. Aliko Dangote's background is described as Hausa; northern Nigerian Muslim trading family. Growing up, the family was wealthy — prosperous commodities-trader father; his great-grandfather Alhassan Dantata was reputedly West Africa's richest man. From West Africa's wealthiest trading dynasty; turned a family loan into the continent's largest industrial group.
- Born
- 1957 · Kano, Nigeria
- Roots
- Hausa; northern Nigerian Muslim trading family
- Family
- Wealthy
- Prosperous commodities-trader father; his great-grandfather Alhassan Dantata was reputedly West Africa's richest man.
- Education
- Al-Azhar University, Cairo (business studies)
- Started with
- ₦500K loan
- From his uncle in 1977 (reported at roughly $325K then); repaid within months.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1977 · age 20Uncle's loan₦500K
Moves to Lagos and starts trading rice, sugar, and cement.
- 1981 · age 24Dangote Group consolidates
Trading operations across commodities.
- 1999 · age 42From trading to manufacturing
Builds flour, sugar, and salt plants after Nigeria's return to civilian rule.
- 2010 · age 53Dangote Cement
Grows into Africa's largest cement producer, listed in Lagos.
- 2013 · age 56Africa's richest person
Per Forbes; has held the position every year since.
- 2024 · age 66Dangote Refinery starts production$19B
The $19B plant is Africa's largest.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Aliko Dangote from?
Aliko Dangote was born in 1957 in Kano, Nigeria. Their background is described as Hausa; northern Nigerian Muslim trading family.
When was Aliko Dangote born?
Aliko Dangote was born in 1957, in Kano, Nigeria.
What is Aliko Dangote's background or ethnicity?
Aliko Dangote's roots are described as Hausa; northern Nigerian Muslim trading family. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Aliko Dangote go to school?
Aliko Dangote's education: Al-Azhar University, Cairo (business studies).
What was Aliko Dangote's family background growing up?
At birth the family was wealthy. Prosperous commodities-trader father; his great-grandfather Alhassan Dantata was reputedly West Africa's richest man.
How did Aliko Dangote get started?
Aliko Dangote started with ₦500K loan. From his uncle in 1977 (reported at roughly $325K then); repaid within months.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.