Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and President of Dangote Industries Limited, has been named to the inaugural *2025 TIME100 Philanthropy* list, becoming the only Nigerian honored among the world’s most influential philanthropic leaders. The list, published by TIME Magazine, celebrates 100 individuals from 28 countries who are shaping the future of global giving across four categories: Titans, Leaders, Trailblazers, and Innovators. Dangote features among the 23 global figures recognized as Titans, alongside names like Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates.
TIME highlighted Dangote’s philanthropic journey as deeply rooted in a commitment to Africa’s development. Having built a business empire worth $23.9 billion spanning cement, agriculture, and oil refining, Dangote has channeled substantial resources into charitable causes. In 2014, he endowed the Aliko Dangote Foundation with $1.25 billion, and today it spends an average of $35 million annually on health, nutrition, education, and economic empowerment across Africa.
“Investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is our contribution to setting Africans up for success,” Dangote said, echoing the foundation’s vision to drive long-term impact across the continent.
One of the foundation’s most significant ongoing commitments is a $100 million multi-year initiative to tackle severe childhood malnutrition. It also played a critical role in Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts through a vaccine partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others—contributing to the World Health Organisation’s 2020 declaration that polio had been eliminated from the African continent.
In education, Dangote’s influence has been equally profound. He recently pledged \$10 million to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Kano State, reinforcing his commitment to advancing STEM education. The Foundation has made several landmark donations, including a N1.2 billion hostel at Ahmadu Bello University, which the Federal Government in 2019 described as the largest personal donation ever made to a Nigerian university.
Through the Mu Shuka Iri (“Let’s Plant a Seed”) programme, the Foundation is also investing in early childhood development by training local women as community educators using Montessori principles. This grassroots approach, coupled with scholarships, vocational training, and fellowships, is part of a broader mission to build a pipeline of future African leaders.
Dangote, a member of The Global Business Coalition for Education and a supporter of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders program, believes strongly in long-term investment in human capital. “We need to create the next generation of African leaders,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to transforming lives beyond business.
Reflecting on the legacy he hopes to leave, Dangote shared, “My mother instilled in me the ethos of giving back, which inspired my philanthropy 30 years ago. 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.”
His recognition by TIME signals a powerful message to the global community: African philanthropy is rising—and making a lasting mark.
