LAGOS, Nigeria — Aliko Dangote is gradually positioning his three daughters for greater leadership roles across his business empire, as the 69-year-old industrialist prepares a succession strategy for a conglomerate that could lift his fortune to $58 billion.
The group operates across cement, sugar, fertiliser and petroleum refining. According to a Bloomberg report published on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the succession arrangements come as Dangote prepares to list a minority stake in his $20 billion petroleum refinery, potentially raising at least $1.6 billion.
Three daughters take senior roles
Dangote promoted Mariya, Halima and Fatima Dangote to senior positions in February 2026. All three have worked in the family businesses for more than a decade.
- Mariya Dangote, 47, oversees commercial strategy across the cement and food businesses, including sugar and salt. She holds an MBA from Coventry University, earned in 2015.
- Halima Dangote, 42, manages the family investment office from Dubai, overseeing the financial and legal advisers responsible for preserving and growing the family’s wealth.
- Fatima Dangote, 40, a lawyer who joined the conglomerate in 2012, leads corporate communications and also covers fertiliser and energy sales.
The sisters say no decision has been made on who will eventually succeed their father as chief executive. Fatima told Bloomberg that the sisters want control of different parts of the business, focusing on the areas where each is strongest. Mariya said the billionaire does not want to run day-to-day chairmanship of every business but has no plans to step down.
Refinery IPO reshapes ownership
The conglomerate generates about $20 billion in annual sales. Dangote is expected to keep more than 80% of the refinery’s shares after the public offering.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index projects the listing could lift his estimated wealth by nearly two-thirds, to $58 billion. In September 2026, Forbes put his net worth at $51.3 billion, placing him 36th globally at the time.
The refinery launched its ₦2.15 trillion IPO on September 14, offering 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 each. The proceeds are expected to support plans to expand refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day. A prospectus analysis showed that Dangote would retain about 84.34% beneficial ownership after the offering.
The offer, initially scheduled to close on October 13, has been extended to October 27, 2026, and expanded to investors in Egypt, Ethiopia and Botswana.
