Africa’s richest man and industrialist, Aliko Dangote, has stepped down as Chairman and Director of Dangote Cement Plc, effective July 25, 2025, in a strategic move to focus on his other multibillion-dollar businesses, including the Dangote Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser, and Government Relations.
The company’s Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman of the cement giant. Additionally, Mariya Aliko Dangote has been appointed to the board, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from her role.
Dangote, whose name has become synonymous with industrial expansion across Africa, leaves behind a towering legacy in the cement industry. Under his leadership, Dangote Cement transformed from a bold vision to a pan-African powerhouse with 52.0 million tonnes annual capacity, including 35.25 million tonnes from Nigeria alone. Ongoing projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Itori, Nigeria, are expected to raise the group’s total production capacity to 61.0 million tonnes this year.
The company’s latest financial results underscore the strength of this legacy. For the half-year ended June 30, 2025, Dangote Cement posted its highest-ever revenue, hitting ₦2.07 trillion, a 17.7% increase from ₦1.76 trillion in the same period of 2024. Group EBITDA surged by 41.8% to ₦944.9 billion, with Nigerian operations accounting for ₦845.4 billion — an 82.4% jump.
Profit before tax rose by 149% to ₦730 billion, while profit after tax soared 174% to ₦520.5 billion. The company also increased its export volumes by 18.2%, with 18 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon in six months.
Aliko Dangote’s impact goes beyond numbers. His efforts to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production have created thousands of jobs and significantly reduced import dependence. In 2024 alone, Dangote Group subsidiaries contributed ₦402 billion in taxes, making the conglomerate Nigeria’s highest taxpayer.
Incoming Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh, a respected corporate leader and former Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., expressed deep honour at his appointment. He pledged to uphold the company’s legacy while pursuing sustainable growth, operational efficiency, innovation, and community engagement.
“My vision for Dangote Cement Plc is built on strategic expansion and a firm commitment to our core values,” Ikazoboh said. He emphasized plans to implement robust cost-reduction measures, shift toward alternative fuels, and invest heavily in workforce training and development.
Ikazoboh brings vast experience from his previous roles, including as Managing Partner at Deloitte West and Central Africa and as Interim Administrator of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, where he oversaw key market reforms.
With a new leadership era underway, stakeholders are watching closely as Dangote Cement Plc positions itself for continued dominance in Africa’s industrial landscape.
