Aliko Dangote, widely recognized as Africa’s richest man, will formally retire as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc on June 16, 2025, concluding a transformative 20-year tenure at the helm of one of Nigeria’s leading food industry giants.

Founded in 2005 as a key subsidiary of the Dangote Group, Dangote Sugar grew into a pan-African powerhouse under Dangote’s leadership. He spearheaded several Integration Projects in Adamawa, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, initiatives aimed at expanding domestic sugarcane cultivation and reducing the country’s dependency on imports.

The board, in a statement issued by company secretary Temitope Hassan, emphasized that Dangote’s retirement aligns with "principles of good corporate governance and succession planning”. 

Stepping into his role will be Arnold Ekpe, an independent non-executive director known for his extensive leadership experience in African banking and industrial sectors, including a past tenure as Ecobank CEO. The transition reflects planned continuity aimed at steering the company into its next growth phase.

Recent performance data highlights Dangote’s legacy: a newly opened sugar refinery in Ghana’s Kwame-Danso, capable of processing 12,000 tons of cane daily aligns with Ghana’s “One District, One Factory” industrial strategy.

In Nigeria, the first quarter of 2025 showed revenues rising by 74.3% year-on-year to ₦213.9 billion ($133 million), with net losses narrowing dramatically to ₦23.6 billion from ₦122.7 billion in the same period last year. Overall revenue surged by 51% in 2024 to ₦665.6 billion, underpinning plans to boost output to 1.5 million tons and create roughly 75,000 jobs.

Dangote, born in 1957, founded the Dangote Group in 1977 and currently ranks as Africa’s wealthiest individual, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $23.8 billion and Bloomberg placing it at $28.1 billion as of March 2025.

Arnold Ekpe’s appointment signals a focus on strong governance and operational resilience. As Dangote Sugar embarks on further expansion both within Nigeria and across West Africa, stakeholders will monitor closely how the company sustains growth, enhances competitiveness, and navigates shifting regulatory and economic landscapes without its visionary founder dictating global strategy.