7 things to know about Aliko Dangote, speaker at BusinessDay CEO Forum

BusinessDay CEO Forum 2025 will spotlight the leaders shaping Africa’s next economic leap, and one of the elite speakers is Aliko Dangote. A titan of African industry and the richest man on the continent for over a decade, Dangote is a relentless builder of legacies and nations.

We are honoured to welcome him as a speaker at this year’s Forum, where his insights will offer invaluable lessons on scale, strategy, and staying power.

Date: 10 July 2025

Venue: Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos

Theme: Nigeria: From Reform to Recovery

Here are seven things to know about this extraordinary business leader:

1. Africa’s Cement King

Dangote transformed a once-import-dependent Nigeria into a net exporter of cement. His flagship company, Dangote Cement, is Africa’s largest cement producer, operating in over 10 countries and boasting an annual production capacity of over 50 million metric tonnes. This singular move changed the trajectory of Africa’s infrastructure ambitions.

Read also: Edo, Dangote parley on ease of doing business

2. Builder of the World’s Largest Single-Train Refinery

In a feat of audacity and vision, Dangote built the $19 billion Dangote Refinery in Lagos, the largest single-train refinery in the world. Capable of processing 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the refinery is poised to end Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and become a game-changer for the continent’s energy security.

3. Pioneer of Integrated Industrial Ecosystems

Dangote is not just building factories; he’s building industrial ecosystems. From sugar and salt to fertiliser and petrochemicals, his businesses operate at scale, often from raw material to finished product. This integration creates value chains that boost local content, reduce forex pressure, and create massive employment.

4. Strategic Catalyst for Intra-African Trade

As a staunch advocate for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Dangote has strategically located plants and operations across Africa to facilitate cross-border trade. His vision aligns with the BusinessDay CEO Forum’s core focus, accelerating Africa’s internal markets and unlocking continental synergies.

5. A Businessman with a Nation-Building Mission

Dangote is driven not just by profits but by a larger goal: transforming African economies. From investing in backwards integration to replacing imports with local production, his model serves as a template for industrialisation in emerging markets. He remains one of Nigeria’s strongest private-sector allies in national development.

6. Global Recognition, African Commitment

From TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people to Forbes Africa’s Person of the Year, Dangote has received widespread global acclaim. Yet, he remains firmly rooted in Africa, consistently reinvesting in the continent’s future and mentoring a new generation of African entrepreneurs.

Read also: Nigeria’s Dangote on track for $30 billion annual revenue target despite US tariff

7. Philanthropist Championing Health and Education

Through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, he has committed over $1.25 billion to social causes. His initiatives in malnutrition, health, education, and crisis response have impacted millions across Nigeria and Africa, proving that visionary capitalism can be both profitable and humane.

Join the conversation at the BusinessDay CEO Forum 2025

Aliko Dangote’s keynote will be a cornerstone of the Forum, unpacking the art of building billion-dollar industries in Africa, navigating government relations, and securing long-term impact in volatile markets.

This is more than a business story. it’s a continental blueprint.

Stay tuned for more speaker announcements.