Listed by Forbes as the richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote is worth an estimated $21.6 billion. Rumored to have gotten his start on the strength of a loan from his uncle, the native of Nigeria is founder and CEO of the Dangote Group, one of the most diverse business conglomerates in Africa, dealing in the commodities of cement, sugar, flour, and just recently, oil.
Africa’s richest man is also its richest philanthropist: last year, Dangote endowed his namesake foundation with $1.2 billion for initiatives in poverty reduction, education, health care, and the environment.
“I think it is also part of corporate social responsibility for companies that are out there making money to be giving back to the society,” Dangote says.
