A Dynasty’s Next Chapter: Dangote’s Daughters Carry the Torch Forward

Aliko Dangote has begun the handover. At 68, Africa’s richest man is placing his three daughters in stronger executive roles across the Dangote Group. The move is part of a broader plan to grow the conglomerate into a $100 billion business within the next four years. Each daughter now oversees defined commercial and strategic responsibilities inside core businesses.

Mariya Dangote, already appointed to the board of Dangote Cement after her father stepped down as chairman in 2025, now leads commercial strategy for the cement business. She also oversees strategy for the group’s food operations across markets. With a background in law and an MBA, she is known within the company for a structured, analytical approach.

Halima Dangote, who manages the family office in Dubai, has expanded her responsibilities to include London operations and broader international activities. She previously led the turnaround of Dangote Flour Mills before its sale, building a reputation for execution and restructuring. Her training includes global business education, which aligns with her cross-border role.

Fatima Dangote has taken on a commercial leadership role within the energy division, which includes the Lagos refinery. She will continue overseeing corporate communications and administration for the group. With legal training and entrepreneurial experience, she operates in the highly regulated oil and petrochemical space where coordination and public positioning matter.

The Dangote Group spans cement, sugar, salt, fertiliser, food processing and oil refining. The refinery alone processes 650,000 barrels per day, with plans to scale further. The fertiliser and refinery units are expected to be listed on the Nigerian Exchange.

For years, Dangote maintained tight personal control over operations. This shift marks a clear transition from founder-led management to second-generation leadership, while he retains overall strategic influence.

Globally, many billionaire founders are formalising succession plans while still active. Dangote’s approach follows that pattern. Therefore, it is not as if authority is moving abruptly; everything is happening according to plan.

As the Dangote empire prepares for continuity, the next chapter will be written by his daughters, inside the same factories and boardrooms their father built.