Aliko Dangote Steps Down from Dangote Cement Board to Focus on $20B Refinery Expansion

Africa’s richest man and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has officially stepped down as Chairman and Director of Dangote Cement Plc, marking a major leadership transition at one of Africa’s most influential companies.

According to a statement issued on Friday by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, the retirement becomes effective July 25, 2025. Dangote made the decision to fully dedicate his energy and expertise to the group’s rapidly expanding $20 billion refinery, petrochemical, fertiliser, and government relations projects, aimed at positioning Nigeria as a key global player in industrial production.

“The board of Dangote Cement has, therefore, announced the appointment of an independent non-executive director, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors,” the statement said.

“In the same vein, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board.”

The announcement emphasized Dangote’s remarkable contributions to the cement industry, underscoring how his vision transformed Dangote Cement into the largest cement producer and exporter in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“His vision and tenacity redefined not just a company, but the entire cement industry landscape by becoming Africa’s largest cement producer and largest exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Dangote’s legacy includes revolutionizing Africa’s cement landscape through massive industrial investments, local content development, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. His journey began with a clear ambition: to make Africa self-sufficient in cement. Today, that vision is a reality.

“Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.

Currently, Dangote Cement Plc boasts a production capacity of 52.0 million tonnes annually (Mta) across Africa, with 35.25Mta based in Nigeria. New greenfield plants underway in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0Mta) are expected to increase capacity to 61.0Mta by the end of 2025.

Under Dangote’s leadership, the company also recorded its highest-ever revenue and earnings. For the six months ending June 30, 2025, unaudited reports show revenue rose by 17.7%, from N1.76 trillion in the same period of 2024 to N2.07 trillion.

“Dangote Cement Plc recorded the highest revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation in the history of the company.”

Emmanuel Ikazoboh, the newly appointed Chairman, brings a wealth of experience to the role. In his acceptance remarks, he praised the company’s enduring legacy and promised to uphold its culture of excellence.

“I am truly honoured to accept the role of Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc,” Ikazoboh said. “This company is a beacon of African enterprise, which has consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.”

Ikazoboh previously served as Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc. and began his professional career with Akintola Williams Deloitte. He has held various leadership roles, including Managing Partner in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, and was Deloitte’s Managing Partner for West and Central Africa until 2009.

In 2010, he was appointed Interim Administrator by the Securities and Exchange Commission to oversee reforms at the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Central Securities Clearing System Plc.

With this transition, Dangote Group signals a sharpened focus on transforming Nigeria into a key hub for petroleum refining, fertiliser production, and petrochemical exports, promising significant boosts in industrial jobs, economic growth, and foreign investment opportunities.