Photograph — Investors King

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has been rated one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2019. The Nigerian is the only billionaire and philanthropist from the continent on the list, clinching 11th position among several other top world leaders.

The rating carried out by American multinational business magazine Fortune, stated that the world’s greatest leaders are those transforming the world and inspiring others to do so in business, government, philanthropy and the arts.

“Great leaders never know for sure if their plans will work, but they plunge ahead anyway. That’s why we recognize sheer audacity, well-intended, even if the results aren’t known and even if the plans aren’t universally applauded … These thinkers, speakers, and doers make bold choices and take big risks- and move others to do the same,” the magazine said.

This is the first time Fortune magazine is including Dangote in the annual ranking. The publication attributed the businessman’s wealth, gotten from the four publicly traded companies under the umbrella of his Dangote Industries, to a “big bet” on Nigeria’s economic independence. The Group, which spans across four sectors including cement, agriculture, mining, and petroleum, now account for about a third of the value of the Nigerian stock exchange.

Also, the report paid attention to the businesses run by the men and how they have used them to impact their society positively. In that regard, “Dangote is now converting his wealth into impactful philanthropy: Dangote’s foundation – the largest in Africa – (and) has helped establish a top-tier business school at Nigeria’s Bayero University” the magazine noted, adding that the foundation is also teaming up with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to fight chronic malnutrition in Nigeria.

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