Dangote leaves behind a legacy of industrial innovation, self-reliance, and continental impact
Aliko Dangote Steps Down as Dangote Cement Chairman, Hands Reins to Ikazoboh
Africa’s richest man and industrial powerhouse, Aliko Dangote, has officially stepped down as Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, effective July 25, 2025, ending a transformative chapter in the company’s history.
Dangote, who also served as a Director on the Board, announced his retirement to focus on other strategic areas within his business empire, including the Dangote Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser, and Government Relations. These sectors are expected to anchor the group’s ambitious five-year growth strategy.
In a decisive move, the Board of Dangote Cement has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman. In addition, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote has been appointed to the Board, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot has retired.
Aliko Dangote’s departure marks the end of an era for the cement giant. Widely regarded as Africa’s foremost investor, his leadership not only built the company into Africa’s largest cement producer but also reshaped the entire cement industry across the continent. Dangote Cement today stands as the leading exporter of cement and clinker in Sub-Saharan Africa.
His cement journey began with a singular, ambitious goal: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. “Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants and a commitment to local content,” the company noted, “he not only met that goal but exceeded it.”
As he shifts focus to new horizons, Dangote leaves behind a legacy of industrial innovation, self-reliance, and continental impact—one that his successors now aim to build upon.
Dangote Cement Plc has 52.0Mta capacity across the African continent, with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta. Currently, additional greenfield plants are coming up in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta) and on completion this year, will push total capacity to 61.0Mta.
Under his visionary leadership, Dangote Cement Plc recorded the highest revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) in the history of the company. According to the unaudited results for the six months ending 30th June 2025, the group revenue went up by 17.7 percent, from N1,760 billion at the same period in 2024 to N2,071.6 billion, representing the highest revenue in the history of the company.
Group Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) grew by 41.8 per cent to N944.900 billion from N666.22 billion. EBITDA (Nigeria Operations) grew by 82.4 per cent to N845.4 billion. Profit before tax went up from N292.96 billion to N730 billion, indicating a 149 per cent increase while profit after tax surged by 174.1 percent to ₦520.5 billion, in contrast to N189.90 billion in the same period at the preceding period. In the six months, export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2 percent, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon.
Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential. He has proven that Africa can produce, compete, and lead on the global stage. It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.
The new Chairman of the Board of the Company, Emmanuel Ikazoboh in his acceptance speech, said he is truly honored to accept the role of Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc while pledging to uphold the highest standards of leadership and dedication in this role.
He described the company as a beacon of African enterprise, which has consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. Over the years, Dangote Cement Plc has not only become the continent’s leading cement producer but has also played a vital role in driving economic growth and development across numerous African nations.
Giving an insight into what his tenure holds for the company, he said, “My vision for Dangote Cement Plc is built upon a foundation of sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and unwavering commitment to our core values. We will continue to focus on the following key priorities: Operational Excellence, Strategic Expansion, Sustainability, Innovation and Community Engagement.
Part of the strategies he intends to introduce includes driving down costs through the implementation of robust cost-reduction strategies to navigate inflationary pressures and enhance competitiveness. The company, he stated, will accelerate efforts to adopt alternative fuels and technologies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Regarding staff welfare, he promised that the company will continue to invest in training and development, fostering a culture of excellence and empowering employees to reach their full potential.
Emmanuel Ikazoboh was previously the Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., the Pan-African banking group. He started his professional career at Akintola Williams Deloitte. He first became the Managing Partner for francophone offices in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, and later became the Managing Partner of the Deloitte firm in West and Central Africa until 2009. In 2010, he was appointed by the Securities and Exchange (SEC) as an Interim Administrator to carry out capital market reforms of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc. (CSCS).
