Written by: Amina Hassan

Nigerian businessman Aliko's wealth has witnessed Dangote  An unprecedented leap, reaching approximately $36.5 billion, in an achievement that reflects the scale of the transformation taking place in the largest private industrial empire in the African continent.

According to recent estimates, Dangote's wealth will exceed the projected GDP of 33 African countries by 2026, a striking indication of the growing influence of private industrial capital in Africa.

A fortune that surpasses the economies of entire countries

Economic comparisons reveal that Dangote's wealth is now larger than the economies of many African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Benin, Chad, Niger, Gabon, Botswana, Mozambique and Madagascar.

It is also approaching the size of the economies of Senegal and Zambia, highlighting the enormous difference achieved by its industrial group in recent years.

Although comparing personal wealth to GDP is not straightforward from an economic standpoint, it provides a clear picture of the extraordinary size of the assets accumulated by the Nigerian billionaire, and the extent of their impact on the African economic landscape.

A giant refinery is leading the rise.

At the heart of this significant growth is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery project. The refinery, which is the largest in Africa and one of the largest single-line refineries in the world, has become the main driver of increasing the value of the group's assets.

The refinery’s official production capacity is 650,000 barrels per day, while recent reports indicate its success in processing around 700,000 barrels per day during performance tests, reflecting increasing operational efficiency and the ability to meet growing demand in local and regional markets.

Changing the energy map of Africa

The refinery’s impact is no longer limited to Nigeria alone, but has extended to various parts of the continent, where it has contributed to reducing dependence on refined fuel imports and boosting exports of diesel, jet fuel and gasoline to multiple African and international markets.

The company also seeks to raise about $1 billion through a private placement prior to its listing on the stock exchange, in a deal that values the refinery at about $39.1 billion, making it one of the largest privately held industrial assets in Africa.

Beyond the Billionaire's Story

The figures not only tell a story of individual wealth, but also reflect the rise of a new economic model driven by massive industrial investments. Dangote's success confirms the ability of the African private sector to implement strategic projects capable of reshaping national economies and promoting development, transforming his business empire into an economic power that rivals entire countries in the size of its production and wealth.