Aliko Dangote is one of the most recognisable names in African business. The story behind the name, however, started much smaller: trading commodities.
From trading to manufacturing
Dangote Cement's official history says Dangote Industries was founded in 1981 as a trading business focused initially on imported bagged cement and other commodities including rice, sugar, flour and salt.
The group later moved from trading into manufacturing. Cement became one of its biggest industrial businesses, with operations expanding across Africa.
The cement chapter
Dangote Cement's history records the construction and commissioning of the Obajana cement plant, the merger involving Benue Cement, and the listing of Dangote Cement on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 2010.
The refinery chapter
The refinery represents another step in the group's long-running push into large-scale industrial production. It also brings a new kind of public ownership story through the 2026 public offer.
The person behind the name
Dangote Cement's published biography describes Aliko Dangote as founder and President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries and chairman of Dangote Cement. It also records his education, business background and philanthropic work through the Aliko Dangote Foundation.