Africa’s richest man and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has officially announced his retirement as Chairman and Director of the Board, effective July 25, 2025. His decision to step down marks a significant transition in the leadership of one of Africa’s most influential companies.

According to a statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Group, the retirement will allow Dangote to concentrate fully on other critical sectors, including the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertilizer, and Government Relations. These sectors will be central to driving the Group’s five-year growth plan.

Leadership Transition and New Appointments

As part of the leadership changes, the Board has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an Independent Non-Executive Director, as the incoming Chairman of the Board of Directors. In addition, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has been appointed to the board, while Professor Dorothy Ufot has formally retired.

Dangote’s Lasting Legacy

The statement acknowledged that Aliko Dangote’s impact extends far beyond Dangote Cement. His visionary leadership reshaped the cement industry across Africa, positioning the company as the continent’s largest cement producer and the leading exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Chiejina remarked:

“Aliko Dangote began his journey in the cement sector with a singular goal — to achieve self-sufficiency in cement production across Nigeria and Africa. Through bold investments in state-of-the-art plants and a commitment to local sourcing, he not only achieved that goal but surpassed it.”

Currently, Dangote Cement operates with an installed capacity of 52.0 million metric tonnes per annum (Mta) across Africa, with Nigeria accounting for 35.25 Mta. By the end of 2025, new greenfield plants in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0 Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta) will raise the company’s total installed capacity to 61.0 Mta.

Historic Financial Performance

Under Dangote’s leadership, Dangote Cement Plc achieved its highest-ever financial performance. For the six-month period ending June 30, 2025, the company recorded a 17.7% increase in group revenue, rising from ₦1.760 trillion in the same period of 2024 to ₦2.071 trillion.

Group Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) surged by 41.8%, reaching ₦944.9 billion, up from ₦666.2 billion. The EBITDA from Nigerian operations alone jumped by 82.4% to ₦845.4 billion.

Profit before tax more than doubled, climbing 149% from ₦292.96 billion to ₦730 billion, while profit after tax soared 174.1%, rising from ₦189.90 billion to ₦520.5 billion. Additionally, export volumes from Nigeria grew by 18.2%, with 18 clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon during the period.

Chiejina emphasized:

“Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be measured in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure developed, and the confidence he inspired in Africa’s industrial potential. In 2024 alone, Dangote Group subsidiaries contributed over ₦402 billion in taxes, making it Nigeria’s highest tax contributor.”

Emmanuel Ikazoboh Outlines Strategic Vision

In accepting the role of Chairman, Emmanuel Ikazoboh expressed his deep honor and commitment to leading Dangote Cement into its next chapter.

He praised the company as a “beacon of African enterprise”, highlighting its resilience, innovation, and critical role in driving economic development across the continent.

Ikazoboh shared his vision for the company, stating:

“My goal is to build on a foundation of sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and a strong adherence to our core values. We will focus on Operational Excellence, Strategic Expansion, Sustainability, Innovation, and Community Engagement.”

He pledged to implement cost-reduction strategies to help the company navigate inflationary headwinds and enhance competitiveness. Additionally, the company will accelerate the adoption of alternative fuels and cleaner technologies, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to environmental sustainability.

On employee development, Ikazoboh promised to continue investing in training programs that foster excellence and empower staff across all levels of the organization.

A Proven Leader

Before his appointment, Emmanuel Ikazoboh held several high-level roles in Africa’s corporate and financial landscape. He served as Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc. and began his professional career at Akintola Williams Deloitte, where he later became Managing Partner for both the Francophone offices and West and Central Africa.

In 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appointed him as Interim Administrator to spearhead reforms at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

This leadership transition marks the end of an era for Dangote Cement but signals a new phase of innovation, expansion, and sustainability under fresh guidance. As Aliko Dangote turns his focus to refining and petrochemical projects, the company remains poised to maintain its industry leadership and broaden its global impact.