Africa Richest Man Retires as Chairman, Names Successor

Africa’s richest man and industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has officially stepped down from his role as Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Dangote Cement Plc. The retirement took effect on July 25, 2025, according to a statement released by the company’s Group Chief, Branding & Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina.

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‎Dangote’s decision marks a major shift in the leadership of one of Africa’s most prominent companies. It also reflects a strategic reallocation of his focus toward expanding interests in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, petrochemicals, fertilizer, and government relations key pillars in the group’s five-year business strategy aimed at deepening Nigeria’s industrial footprint and advancing self-sufficiency in energy and manufacturing.

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‎ In his place, the Board announced the appointment of Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman. Ikazoboh brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc. and in senior management positions with Deloitte across West and Central Africa. The Board also confirmed the addition of Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote as a new director, following the retirement of Prof. Dorothy Ufot.

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‎Under Dangote’s leadership, Dangote Cement transformed into Africa’s largest cement producer and exporter. The company currently boasts a total installed capacity of 52 million tonnes per annum (Mta), with Nigeria contributing 35.25 Mta. With greenfield projects underway in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0 Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta), the company expects its total capacity to rise to 61.0 Mta by the end of 2025.