The Dangote Group is the undisputed industrial leader in West Africa, with a growing influence across the continent. Founded in 1981 by Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote, the company has evolved from a commodities trading firm into a leading diversified conglomerate. Operating in 17 African countries, the group is a major economic driver, directly employing over 30,000 people and generating countless indirect jobs.
Founded in 1981 by Aliko Dangote, the Dangote Group is a dominant Nigerian conglomerate and an undisputed industry leader across West Africa. Operating in strategic sectors such as cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, and port infrastructure, the group has a presence in 17 African countries and employs over 30,000 people. With its ambitious Vision 2030, the Dangote Group is working to transform into a $100 billion powerhouse, reinforcing its status as a continental and global leader.
« If underground natural resources are not exploited, they remain dormant. That is why it is our duty, as entrepreneurs, to lead by example and encourage our peers to believe in the possibility of achieving the impossible. We have delivered many projects once considered unachievable. Take the example of the sand shortage that affected East African countries over the past eight to ten years. We responded by investing heavily in the region, particularly in Ethiopia, Zambia and Tanzania, and even as far as South Africa. I believe we have the largest African investment in this sector, with around 620 million dollars invested in South Africa alone. »
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group – Nigeria
Thanks to ultra-modern plants and a vertical integration strategy, the Dangote Group dominates the cement market across Africa. Its market share is estimated at over 60% in Nigeria, 28% in Tanzania, 34% in Ethiopia and Cameroon, 53% in Congo, 20% in Senegal, 30% in Zambia, 5% in Ghana and 25% in Sierra Leone. Beyond cement, the group is diversifying its activities to meet the essential needs of populations, focusing on local industrialisation, job creation and reducing dependence on imports, thereby positioning Nigeria and West Africa as major production hubs on the continent.
“We are now active in the electricity and oil sectors. We have just completed the construction of the largest refinery in the world, not only in Africa. This refinery has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, complemented by a production unit of one million tonnes of polypropylene. We produce carbon black, LPG, and salt containers. We also have a fertiliser plant of more than 3 million tonnes, which is the largest in the world in terms of capacity. We are therefore looking at other African countries that have phosphate. We can do a lot.”
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group – Nigeria
At the heart of this momentum is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the largest single-train refinery in the world, located in Lekki near Lagos, Nigeria. Commissioned in 2024, it reached its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day in February 2026, producing petrol, diesel, kerosene and high-quality petrochemical products.
“First of all, you must master what you do. You must master your own business. You cannot do everything by yourself. You therefore need to be very focused and resilient, because it is not easy. Running a business is not a game of chance. You must have a vision. And from the very beginning, you need to have an idea of how to bring that vision to life.”
Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group – Nigeria
This refinery is transforming energy security in Nigeria and across Africa. It now covers more than 90% of national petrol demand, drastically reducing imports. In March 2026, it exported 456,000 tonnes of refined products (12 cargoes) to Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tanzania, Ghana and Togo, representing around 90,000 barrels per day to the continent. These closer supply routes strengthen regional availability, reduce logistical costs and provide a reliable alternative to distant imports from Europe and the Middle East.
