My actual wealth may be higher than reported estimates - Aliko Dangote

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has suggested that his actual wealth may be significantly higher than figures reported by global wealth-tracking organisations, arguing that many of his largest businesses are not yet publicly listed.

Speaking in a street interview with James Dumoulin of School of Hard Knocks, Dangote said conventional net worth estimates do not fully capture the value of his business empire.

"They say I'm worth $38 billion, but most of our businesses are not listed yet," he stated.

My business is my hobby - Aliko Dangote shares

Dangote made the remarks while discussing his wealth and entrepreneurial journey.

When asked about the most money he had ever made in a year, the billionaire businessman revealed that his companies generated approximately $10 billion in the first quarter of 2026 alone.

His comments come amid differing estimates of his fortune by major wealth trackers.

According to Forbes, Dangote's net worth currently stands at approximately $31.6 billion, while Bloomberg estimates it at about $35.6 billion.

The Nigerian billionaire's business interests span several sectors, including cement, sugar, fertiliser, oil refining and manufacturing, making him one of Africa's most influential entrepreneurs.

When asked how he would like to be remembered, Dangote pointed to his contribution to the continent's economic transformation.

"As somebody who industrialised Africa," he said.

Aliko Dangote has long championed industrialisation as a key driver of economic growth across the continent, investing billions of dollars in manufacturing, infrastructure and large-scale industrial projects aimed at reducing Africa's dependence on imports and boosting local production.



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