Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Cement Plc and one of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs, has announced his retirement as Chairman and Director of the company’s Board, effective July 25, 2025.
In a statement, Dangote said the decision to step down was to enable him focus more on the company’s strategic interests in its refinery, petrochemicals, fertiliser, and government relations operations, as part of a broader five-year growth plan.
Following his retirement, the Board has appointed Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman. Additionally, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has joined the Board as a director, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot has exited the Board.
Under Dangote’s leadership, the company grew to become Africa’s largest cement producer and a key exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through investments in modern plants and local production, Dangote Cement helped position Nigeria as self-sufficient in cement supply.
Dangote Cement currently operates with a total capacity of 52 million metric tonnes per annum (Mta) across Africa, including 35.25Mta in Nigeria. Ongoing projects in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0Mta) are expected to raise the total installed capacity to 61.0Mta by the end of 2025.
