Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has joined the world’s 100 richest persons list after doubling his wealth to $27.8 billion following the operationalisation of his multibillion-dollar oil refinery.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index indicates that Dangote’s net worth increased by $15.1 billion to $27.8 billion as at October 18.
Dangote, president of the Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), moved up to 65th position, making him the only African in the top 100 spot.
The elevation places Dangote more than 100 spots ahead of Johann Rupert, the South African billionaire, who is ranked 174th.
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Dangote’s increased net worth pushed him up the index more than 40 places from his 111th position on June 30, 2023.
The development comes more than a year after his refinery was inaugurated in May 2023.
The 650,000 barrel-per-day plant sits on 2, 635 hectares of land located in the free zone area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. It began production of diesel on January 12, but petrol production did not commence until September 3 due to several factors, including crude supply challenges.
The constraints on accessing crude feedstock from international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria forced the company to import crude from countries like Brazil and the US to bridge the supply gap.
On June 4, Dangote said some IOCs were struggling to supply crude to his refinery.
At 67, Dangote has built most of his wealth through his 86 per cent stake in Dangote Cement, a company valued at over $9 billion, with operations in ten African countries.
In addition to cement, the Dangote Group has interests in sectors such as food production, fertilisers, and real estate.
