Dangote’s Power Moves: How His $213 Million Rise Is Changing Nigeria and Fueling a Global Shift

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and founder of the Dangote Group, has seen his net worth swell by over $213 million in 2025 alone, a remarkable leap driven by the strong performance of Dangote Cement and the rise of his state-of-the-art refinery.

From $28.1 Billion to $28.3 Billion, How It Happened

As of Q1 2025, Dangote’s fortune stands tall at $28.3 billion, climbing from $28.1 billion earlier this year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. A lion’s share of this growth comes from his 86% stake in Dangote Cement, the largest cement company in Africa, which alone added nearly $200 million to his net worth.

Boosted by a stronger Nigerian naira and a 250 basis-point surge in share value, Dangote Cement’s stock lifted the company’s market cap to over $5.3 billion.

The Refinery That Changed Everything

But the real game-changer? Dangote’s $19 billion refinery, which launched operations with a bang and is now refining over 500,000 barrels per day. By March 2025, it is expected to hit full capacity at 650,000 b/d, making it the seventh-largest refinery in the world.

This massive industrial complex has already begun reshaping Nigeria’s energy landscape. Fuel imports are now at their lowest level in 8 years, and for the first time in decades, Nigeria has started exporting jet fuel, naphtha, and fuel oil.

A Personal Touch and Global Moves

Dangote’s approach is anything but passive. The billionaire is known to personally inspect the refinery site, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. His next move? Building a subsea pipeline to supply natural gas from the Niger Delta to Lagos and scaling up fertilizer production.

According to a CNBC Africa report, the refinery recently exported aviation fuel to Saudi Aramco and has started regular diesel and fuel shipments to Cameroon, Angola, Ghana, and South Africa.

What’s Next for the Dangote Empire?

In the next 24 months, there are whispers of an initial public offering (IPO) for the refinery arm, a move that could unlock even more capital and global recognition. If all goes according to plan, 2025 might not just be the year of Dangote’s refinery  it may be the beginning of a new oil and gas era for Nigeria.