” My mother instilled in me the ethos of giving back, which inspired my philanthropy 30 years ago.”
“That’s Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited.
Dangote was reacting to the 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list, which recognised him among the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy worldwide.
He said: ” I trust my three daughters will continue this legacy, just as they will continue to grow our business and impact. I want to be known not just as Africa’s richest person but also as its biggest philanthropist.
”The prestigious list, published by TIME Magazine on Tuesday, features Aliko Dangote, whose Foundation spends an average of $35 million a year on programmes across Africa, alongside other global figures in charitable work, such as Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates, all of whom are recognised as Titans.
100 influential individuals from 28 countries have been honoured for their philanthropic efforts in four categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, and Innovators, with Dangote emerging as one of the 23 Titans.
I want to be known not just as Africa’s richest person but also as its biggest philanthropist.
TIME highlighted Dangote’s remarkable rise to wealth, having built a fortune of $23.9 billion through ventures in cement, agriculture, and oil refining in Nigeria.
However, his philanthropic efforts are equally noteworthy.In 2014, he endowed the Aliko Dangote Foundation with $1.25 billion to give back to the continent that played such a key role in his success.
The foundation spends an average of $35 million each year on various initiatives across Nigeria and Africa.
“Investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is our contribution to setting Africans up for success”, said Dangote, reflecting the foundation’s core priorities.
