Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, is gradually preparing his three daughters to take on greater leadership responsibilities across his business empire as he develops a succession strategy for the conglomerate, which could see his fortune rise to $58 billion.
The 69-year-old industrialist has elevated Mariya, Halima and Fatima Dangote to senior positions within the group, signalling a generational transition across its cement, sugar, fertiliser and petroleum refining businesses.
According to a Bloomberg report published on Thursday, October 22, the succession arrangements come as Dangote plans to list a minority stake in his $20 billion petroleum refinery, a move that could raise at least $1.6 billion.
Projections from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index suggest the proposed listing could increase his estimated wealth by nearly two-thirds to $58 billion.
The conglomerate currently generates approximately $20 billion in annual sales, while Dangote is expected to retain more than 80 per cent of the refinery’s shares after the public offering.
Dangote daughters take on senior leadership roles
The three sisters, who have worked within the family’s businesses for more than a decade, were promoted to senior positions in February 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen the group’s leadership structure.
Mariya Dangote, 47, oversees commercial strategy across the group’s cement and food businesses, including its sugar and salt operations. She obtained an MBA from Coventry University in 2015.
Halima Dangote, 42, manages the family’s investment office in Dubai, overseeing financial and legal advisers responsible for preserving and growing its wealth across generations.
Fatima Dangote, 40, is a lawyer who joined the conglomerate in 2012. She heads corporate communications and also oversees responsibilities relating to fertiliser and energy sales.
Despite their expanded roles, the sisters say no decision has been made on who will eventually succeed their father as chief executive.
“As sisters we want to have control of different aspects of the business. We all have our strengths, so we are focused on where we feel we are the strongest,” Fatima told Bloomberg.
Mariya also clarified that her father has no immediate plans to relinquish control of the conglomerate.
“He doesn’t want to be in day-to-day chairmanship of all the businesses,” she said. “But he has no plans to step down.”
Dangote refinery IPO could reshape ownership
The succession strategy comes as Dangote Group expands its presence in African and international capital markets, with several major transactions expected to influence the ownership structure of its businesses.