Aliko Dangote Retires as Chairman of Dangote Cement, Announces New Successor

Africa’s richest man and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has officially retired as Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, effective July 25, 2025.

Foremost entrepreneur and Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has announced his retirement as Chairman and Director of Dangote Cement Plc, effective July 25, 2025.

According to an official statement, Dangote is stepping down to focus more on his growing commitments in Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser, and Government Relations, in line with the company’s new five-year strategic growth plan.

Following his exit, the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an Independent Non-Executive Director, as the new Chairman of the Board. Also joining the board is Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot officially retires from her position.

Aliko Dangote leaves behind a powerful legacy. Under his leadership, Dangote Cement Plc grew to become Africa’s largest cement producer, with a current installed capacity of 52.0Mta across the continent, including 35.25Mta in Nigeria. New plants under construction in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0Mta) are expected to increase the group’s capacity to 61.0Mta by the end of 2025.

Dangote Cement also recorded unprecedented financial performance in the first half of 2025. Revenue rose by 17.7% to ₦2.07 trillion, while EBITDA surged 41.8% to ₦944.9 billion. Nigerian operations alone recorded an 82.4% EBITDA growth. Profit before tax grew by 149% to ₦730 billion, and profit after tax jumped by 174.1% to ₦520.5 billion.

In 2024, Dangote Group companies collectively paid over ₦402 billion in taxes, cementing its status as Nigeria’s highest corporate taxpayer. Export volumes from Nigeria also rose by 18.2%, with 18 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon within six months.

Emmanuel Ikazoboh, the new Chairman, expressed gratitude for the opportunity and pledged to uphold Dangote’s legacy by focusing on operational excellence, strategic expansion, sustainability, and innovation.

“My vision for Dangote Cement Plc is built upon a foundation of sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and unwavering commitment to our core values,” he said.

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He also outlined plans to reduce costs through efficiency strategies, expand the company’s use of alternative fuels, and invest in staff development to build a resilient and future-ready workforce.

Ikazoboh brings decades of leadership experience, having served as Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., and previously worked with Deloitte across Francophone Africa. In 2010, he was appointed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reform Nigeria’s capital market institutions.

Signed,
Anthony Chiejina
Group Chief, Branding & Communications Office