Dangote Climbs World Ranking, Overtakes 100 Billionaires as Net Worth Rises
- Aliko Dangote's wealth has increased again in the last 24 hours, helping him climb the global billionaire rich list
- New data from Forbes shows that Nigeria's richest man has moved up in the ranking of the world's 100 most powerful men
- Elon Musk continues to lead the world's richest list, while Jeff Bezos has dropped to fourth behind Mark Zuckerberg
Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of experience in business journalism, with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has once again risen on the global billionaire list, cementing his position among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Source: Getty Images
According to the latest data from Forbes, Dangote now ranks as the 89th richest person in the world, with a total net worth of $24.1 billion.
Dangote, the man behind Africa's largest refinery, has been rising steadily in the global billionaire rankings, climbing from a net worth of $11.5 billion and a ranking of 199 at the start of 2025 to his current position.
Since January 2025, Dangote has overtaken more than 100 billionaires on the global rich list.
Nigeria’s richest man's wealth comes from various investments, with his cement company and refinery playing a significant part.
Dangote's foresight for strategic investments
Aliko Dangote’s enduring presence on the billionaires' list is a testament to his visionary leadership and calculated risk-taking.
From humble beginnings in commodity trading, Dangote built Africa’s largest industrial empire by strategically investing in high-demand sectors such as cement, sugar, flour, and, more recently, oil and gas.
His ability to identify long-term opportunities like the Dangote Cement expansion across Africa or the ambitious $19 billion Dangote Refinery in Nigeria demonstrates foresight that has kept him ahead of the curve.
These moves not only strengthened his portfolio but also insulated him from market volatility and economic downturns that have derailed many others.
His capacity to vertically integrate his businesses has made them more resilient and cost-efficient, a critical factor in maintaining his wealth amid changing global dynamics.
Dangote’s staying power is equally rooted in his resilience in the face of macroeconomic challenges, especially within Nigeria’s fluctuating economic climate.
Currency devaluation, inflation, and policy uncertainties have affected many local and international businesses, but Dangote continues to navigate these with a clear focus on long-term impact.
Nigerian other billionaires
The update also reveals the positions of other Nigerian billionaires.
Mike Adenuga, the founder of Globacom and Conoil, is placed at 581st with a net worth of $6.3 billion, while BUA Group’s Abdulsamad Rabiu ranks 636th, valued at $5.8 billion.
Femi Otedola, the Chairman of Geregu Power, also features on the list, holding the 2,382nd position with a net worth of $1.5 billion.
World billionaire rankings
On the global front, American billionaires continue to dominate the top 10 list.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, remains the world’s richest man with a staggering net worth of $413.2 billion.
He is followed by Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder, who is worth $291.6 billion, and Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), with $243.1 billion.
Jeff Bezos and Bernard Arnault, the former richest men in the world, have dropped in the ranking, while Bill Gates is no longer in the top 10.
Source: UGC
Here are the current top 10 billionaires
- Elon Musk: $413.2 billion
- Larry Ellison: $291.6 billion
- Mark Zuckerberg: $243.1 billion
- Jeff Bezos: $239.2 billion
- Larry Page: $152.6 billion
- Jensen Huang: $150.1 billion
- Sergey Brin: $145.8 billion
- Bernard Arnault & family: $145.6 billion
- Steve Ballmer: $143.5 billion
- Warren Buffett: $142.0 billion
Dangote shares plan to turn Africa into heaven in 5 years
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, has challenged Africans to think boldly and with a long-term perspective, claiming that the continent might become a "heaven" in as little as five years.
Dangote predicts his company will achieve $30 billion in total revenue next year and plans to overtake Qatar as the world’s largest urea exporter within four years
The Nigerian government recently praised his dedication for putting the country's progress ahead of the lure of digital windfalls.
This article has been updated by the head of business desk, Victor Enengedi, with additional information.
Source: Legit.ng
