But Dangote decided to swap the champagne for cement and the limelight for factories, a move that has cemented his wealth and influence across Africa. The 68-year-old divorcee said he began this mission by building sugar refineries, buying a majority stake in a salt-refining company, and establishing cement factories across Nigeria. He also noted that this mission has always been far more important than living a life of luxury. When asked about his defining legacy, Dangote offered yet another simple but striking response; “What’s our legacy?” he asked. While most people would struggle to give up Netflix subscriptions, Aliko Dangote gave up yachts, sports cars, and multiple homes for factories across the continent.

Source: GhanaWeb March 04, 2026 13:22 UTC