Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has once again been placed among the world’s most influential figures after being named in the TIME 100 list for 2026.
The annual ranking, published by TIME Magazine, brings together 100 people from around the world who are seen as shaping major decisions and trends in politics, business, technology, and culture. Dangote appears in the “Titans” category, which highlights individuals with strong global impact in business and industry.
This is not his first time on the list. He was also featured in 2014, marking a return to global recognition more than a decade later.
In this year’s profile, Nigerian business leader Tony Elumelu described Dangote as a focused and resilient entrepreneur who has continued to push African industry forward. He praised Dangote’s ability to turn local resources into large-scale businesses that compete on the global stage, while also noting his humility despite his success.
Dangote, who chairs the Dangote Group, has built one of Africa’s largest industrial groups, with interests in cement, sugar, fertiliser, salt, and energy.
Through the Dangote Group, his business empire covers key sectors including cement, sugar, fertiliser, and salt production across the African continent. His flagship investment, the 650,000-barrels-per-day petroleum refinery, is also being expanded to a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day, a move aimed at boosting Africa’s fuel self-reliance and supporting wider industrial development, according to BI Africa Insider.
Over the years, his companies have expanded across the continent, playing a major role in industrial growth and regional trade. One of his biggest projects remains the huge oil refinery in Nigeria, which is expected to reduce dependence on imported fuel and strengthen local production capacity.
TIME says the list is meant to recognise people whose influence goes beyond their own industries, affecting wider global systems and direction. Dangote’s inclusion reflects his growing role in shaping Africa’s industrial future and his influence in global business circles.
The 2026 list as it includes influential figures from politics, technology, and innovation, reflecting the wide range of forces shaping today’s global agenda. It features leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Pope Leo XIV, as well as tech executives, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, alongside Africa’s Aliko Dangote
The recognition adds to Dangote’s long track record of building businesses that focus on adding more value within Africa rather than relying on the export of raw materials.
