In what appears to be a quiet but calculated succession shift, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has reportedly begun handing over strategic responsibilities to his three daughters—Mariya, Halima, and Fatima Dangote—as he gradually steps away from active boardroom control across his multibillion-dollar industrial empire.
The 68-year-old Nigerian billionaire—whose net worth was valued at $28.5 billion by Bloomberg as of July 28—retired from the board of Dangote Sugar Refinery in June and most recently stepped down as chairman of Dangote Cement, the crown jewel of the Dangote Group.
But while Dangote steps back from public-facing positions, his daughters are reportedly stepping into powerful new roles that could define the next phase of the conglomerate’s leadership.
Mariya Dangote, the eldest daughter, according to The Africa Report was recently appointed to the board of Dangote Cement, marking her entrance into one of the group’s most strategically vital platforms. She currently serves as executive director of operations at Dangote Sugar Refinery, a role she assumed in 2022.
Mariya has been credited with driving digital transformation, backward integration, and corporate planning since joining the group in 2016. She also holds a seat on the board of Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria (DPAN).
Halima Dangote was appointed to the board of Dangote Cement in early 2022 and continues to serve as a group executive director at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL). She previously led a major turnaround at Dangote Flour Mills, which was eventually sold to Olam Group.
Halima also sits on the board of NASCON Allied Industries and currently runs the Dangote Family Office in Dubai, managing global investments and wealth strategy.
Fatima Dangote, the youngest of the three, now operates as group executive director of commercial operations at DIL. Her portfolio spans procurement, administration, strategy, and corporate communications.
Fatima also plays a critical role in the company’s push to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on imported sugar under the Backward Integration Programme (BIP).
Together, the three daughters now reportedly hold commanding roles across key divisions of the Dangote Group, signaling a deeply rooted transition plan led by family members rather than external executives.
The move underscores a multi-generational strategy to preserve the Dangote legacy while adapting to the demands of modern corporate governance.
With Aliko Dangote narrowing his focus to the rollout of his $20 billion oil refinery and other energy projects, the reported rise of his daughters could mark the beginning of a new leadership era in one of Africa’s most powerful business dynasties.
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