Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has said he expects one of his three daughters to eventually take over the leadership of the Dangote Group.
Dangote made the disclosure in an interview while discussing his family, succession plans and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Asked whether he could see any of his daughters eventually leading the conglomerate, Dangote said: “I think yes. I can see one of them definitely. I’m watching all of them, so I can see definitely one or two of them that can actually lead.”
He said his daughters are deeply interested in the business and enjoy being involved in it, stressing that he was not forcing them to join the family business.
According to him, his experience of being given the opportunity to take risks has shaped his approach to succession and business leadership.
Dangote, who founded the Dangote Group, said he wants the companies to be run professionally and with the highest standards of corporate governance after his departure.
“I want these companies to be run professionally. I want to have the highest level of governance,” he said, citing companies such as Microsoft, Apple and JPMorgan as examples of businesses that have successfully continued beyond their founders and previous leaders.
He said his objective is to make it difficult for any family member to destroy the businesses, stressing that the interests of other shareholders must also be protected.
Dangote also dismissed the traditional expectation that he should have a male heir to carry on the family name, saying having a son was not his priority.
He said his three daughters could potentially do better than a son and that he would not force what God had not given him.
“Sometimes when God doesn’t give you something, don’t push. I don’t think if the son would have done better than these three daughters that I have,” he said.
Beyond family succession, Dangote said his greatest legacy would be the industrialisation of Africa, expressing hope that other African entrepreneurs would join him in building large-scale industries across the continent.
He also disclosed that a portion of his wealth has been committed to the Dangote Foundation as part of his plan to give back to society during his lifetime.
