Africa’s wealthiest individual and Nigeria’s leading billionaire, Aliko Dangote, has recorded a notable rise in his fortune over just a few days.
Recent figures show that his net worth, previously estimated at $33.2 billion last week, has now climbed to $34.0 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
The index also indicates that Aliko Dangote remains one of Africa’s strongest performers in terms of wealth growth this year, with his year-to-date gains reaching $3.99 billion, placing him as the 69th richest person globally.
Earlier data had placed his fortune at $33.2 billion, reflecting a $3.21 billion increase for the year at that time and ranking him as Africa’s third-best performing billionaire.
Although his wealth growth trails that of South African businessman Natie Kirsh, who has added $5.51 billion so far this year, and fellow Nigerian tycoon Abdulsamad Rabiu, whose fortune has increased by $6.75 billion, Aliko Dangote continues to hold a significant lead as the continent’s richest individual.
At the start of the year, his net worth stood at $30.4 billion, ranking him 80th globally.
By the following month, his fortune had risen to $32.8 billion, lifting him to 73rd place worldwide, a position he still maintains.
Recent business developments involving Dangote
In the past week, Aliko Dangote outlined plans to expand his refining operations into East Africa, signalling a broader regional industrial push.
The proposal involves constructing a large-scale refinery similar to his flagship facility in Nigeria, aimed at supporting industrial development across the region.
During the “Africa We Build” summit held in Nairobi, he stated that his group could develop a 650,000-barrels-per-day refinery in partnership with East African governments, provided regulatory alignment and sustained policy support are secured. He presented the plan alongside William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni.
Separately, recent reports show a marked rise in jet fuel exports from the Dangote Refinery over the past two years, highlighting growing shifts in global aviation fuel supply and the increasing role of African refining capacity in international markets.