Aliko Dangote: With a Net Worth of $23.9 Billion, Africa’s Business Titan Joins Again the Richest 100 Club

Aliko Dangote has soared into the elite circle of the world’s wealthiest individuals, securing the 85th spot with a staggering net worth of $23.9 billion. His meteoric rise from 144th place in 2024 to 86th in 2025 can be attributed to the operational launch of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, marking a significant turning point in his financial journey.

Over the past year, Dangote’s fortune surged by an impressive $10.5 billion, representing a 78.4% increase from $13.4 billion. The refinery’s commencement played a crucial role in this exponential growth, solidifying his position among the world’s most influential business figures.

Holding a dominant 92.3% stake in the refinery, the 67-year-old billionaire has reclaimed his place among the top 100 richest people globally for the first time since 2018. Notably, he remains the only African in this exclusive group, reinforcing his status as a trailblazer in the continent’s industrial landscape.

In Africa’s wealth rankings, South African billionaire Johann Rupert follows at 164th place with a net worth of $14.2 billion, while Nicky Oppenheimer and his family hold the third spot on the continent, ranking 288th globally with $9.5 billion.

The Dangote refinery, boasting a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, is the largest in Africa and the seventh largest in the world. Since its launch, it has significantly altered Nigeria’s petroleum sector, breaking the government’s longstanding oil monopoly and overcoming major hurdles to establish itself as a key player in the industry.

On the global stage, the refinery is already making waves. A recent agreement secured the export of two cargoes of aviation fuel to Saudi Arabia, signaling its growing influence in the international energy market. Domestically, the impact is equally profound, as Nigeria’s petrol imports have dropped to an eight-year low, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers and strengthening the country’s energy independence.

Dangote has consistently emphasized his commitment to African industrialization, expressing the belief that economic transformation must be driven from within. He has described the refinery as the most significant risk he has ever taken, underscoring the immense financial stakes involved in the project.

Zainab Usman, Director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted that many Nigerians regard Dangote as a national hero—an industrialist whose efforts are reshaping not only Nigeria but the entire continent.

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