Aliko Dangote’s daughters, Halima, Fatima, Mariya, take key roles in family conglomerate

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has taken a key step in shaping the future of his sprawling conglomerate by appointing his daughters, Halima, Fatima, and Mariya, to key executive roles within the group. The move comes just a week after news that Khalifa Rabiu, son of billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu, assumed a leadership role at BUA Foods, highlighting a broader pattern among African business leaders of involving the next generation in governance and operations.

Appointments focus on continuity, growth and expansion

Halima Aliko Dangote, already a Group Executive Director at Dangote Industries Limited, has been appointed Group Executive Director of the Dangote Family Office and International Offices in Dubai and London. Beyond ceremonial duties, she will lead the full development of the family office’s governance framework, operating model, policies, and organizational structure.

Halima will oversee operations across the group’s international offices, ensuring alignment with corporate governance, cost discipline, and compliance, while embedding high standards across all functions that support the conglomerate’s global activities.

Fatima Aliko Dangote takes charge of commercial operations across the group’s energy businesses, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, Fertiliser operations, and the West African Exploration and Production Company Limited (WAEP) Upstream division. Her role also encompasses oversight of Corporate Communications, Administration & Facilities, and Group Procurement, positioning her as a central driver of both operational efficiency and strategic coherence across the conglomerate’s energy portfolio.

Mariya Aliko Dangote leads the commercial strategy for cement and foods operations across all markets. Her mandate emphasizes deepening market penetration, enhancing customer value, and ensuring operational excellence, while fostering integration and growth across consumer sectors. Together, the appointments signal a deliberate focus on continuity, sustainability, and stewardship within the Dangote Group.

Africa’s billionaire families elevate leaders

These strategic moves reflect a broader commitment to succession planning and institutional strength, preparing the next generation to uphold the discipline, governance, and operational rigor required to support the conglomerate’s growth. They are also central to the group’s Vision 2030 ambition of becoming a $100 billion enterprise by the decade’s end, cementing Dangote Industries Limited as Africa’s most diversified manufacturing and industrial conglomerate.

The appointments mirror developments elsewhere among Africa’s billionaire families. Just last week, Khalifa Rabiu was named Chief Officer, Global Procurement and Strategic Operations at BUA Foods Plc, the food and consumer goods arm of BUA Group. With a market capitalization of $10.6 billion, BUA Foods said his appointment strengthens leadership at a pivotal stage, as the company advances its long-term business plan to expand core operations.

Dangote’s daughters, Halima, Fatima, Mariya, now join a select group of next-generation leaders shaping Africa’s industrial future, combining legacy with hands-on governance to carry the conglomerate’s operations—and ambitions—forward.