Africa’s wealthiest businessman, Aliko Dangote, has
officially retired as Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, marking the end of an era
for the continent’s largest cement manufacturer. The company announced on
Friday that Emmanuel Ikazoboh, a seasoned executive with over four decades of
leadership experience across multiple African markets, will take over as
Chairman.
A Legacy of Transformation
Dangote’s departure follows his recent exit as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc in June 2025, signaling a broader leadership transition within the Dangote Group. The move aligns with the conglomerate’s commitment to corporate governance and succession planning.
Under Dangote’s leadership, Nigeria evolved from one of the
world’s top cement importers to Africa’s leading exporter—a feat he proudly
highlighted in June:
“Nigeria, once the second-largest importer of cement globally, now exports more than any other African country.”
Dangote Cement’s Expanding Footprint
With an installed production capacity of 48.6 million metric tonnes per year, Dangote Cement operates in 10 African nations, including:
Nigeria (32.3 million tonnes)
Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone (16.3 million tonnes combined)
The company is also advancing an $800 million expansion in
Ogun State, with a new 6-million-tonne plant expected by November 2026.
New Leadership Across the Group
Following Dangote’s exit from Dangote Sugar Refinery, the
board appointed Arnold Ekpe, former Ecobank Group CEO, as Chairman. The company
expressed gratitude for Dangote’s "exemplary service" while welcoming
Ekpe’s leadership.
What’s Next for Dangote?
Though stepping back from executive roles, the billionaire is expected to retain strategic influence over the Dangote Group’s ventures in cement, sugar, oil, and gas. His focus likely remains on strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capacity while consolidating the conglomerate’s pan-African dominance.
Ikazoboh and Ekpe now face the task of steering these giants
forward—will they build on Dangote’s legacy or chart a new course?