Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, plans to donate one-third of his wealth to charity as part of his succession strategy, according to his daughter, Halima Dangote.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Halima, who serves as a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the billionaire has secured family approval to allocate 33 percent of his estate to philanthropic causes.
Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning the planned donation could amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at current levels.
Halima said philanthropy is central to her father’s legacy and has been formally embedded into the family’s long-term plans. She explained that the structure aligns with Islamic principles that allow up to one-third of an estate to be dedicated to charitable causes.
The commitment builds on Dangote’s long-standing philanthropic efforts through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, established in 1994. The foundation was endowed with $1.25 billion about a decade ago and has since received an additional $700 million.
Its programs focus on health, education, nutrition, and humanitarian support, with about 70 percent of spending directed to Nigeria and 20 percent across Africa. The foundation has also partnered with organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and regional governments, contributing to the eradication of wild poliovirus in Africa.
Dangote’s planned donation comes amid growing global attention on billionaire philanthropy. While below the 50 percent benchmark associated with the Giving Pledge, the commitment is expected to rank among the largest ever by an African billionaire.
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