Aliko Dangote founded Dangote Group over 30 years ago and has turned his enterprise into the largest business conglomerate in West Africa, with a market capitalisation of $15.5 billion. The Dangote Group is the largest private employer in Nigeria. Mr. Dangote invests in 18 African countries, creating jobs and economic value across the continent in a range of industries.

A leading global philanthropist, Aliko Dangote has set up the largest Foundation in Africa with an endowment of $1.25 billion. Locally focused, but globally minded, the Dangote Foundation is at the forefront of improving the nutrition, health and education of Nigerians. He is passionate about lifting the most vulnerable people out of poverty through economic empowerment.

The Foundation is a leading contributor to the ‘Saving One Million Lives’ every year in Nigeria initiative. The Dangote Foundation was at the vanguard of containing the spread of Ebola in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The Foundation was the biggest private contributor to the African Union Ebola Trust Fund with a donation of $3 million.

Aliko Dangote is a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative steering committee; founding member of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria, a coalition between the private sector and health organisations to achieve the MDGs; founding member of the Gordon Brown-led Global Business Coalition for Education; and sits on the Board of the Corporate Council on Africa. He is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and the World Economic Forum.