Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has agreed to work with the World Bank

The richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote, has accepted the recent invitation to join the group established by the World Bank to create jobs.

• Aliko Dangote has accepted an invitation to join the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab.
• Dangote expressed honor and excitement to be part of the group, committed to sustainable development and unlocking potential of developing economies.
• The Lab’s membership has been expanded to include industry executives with experience in creating jobs in developing markets.

The President/CEO of Dangote Group, among other industry executives, was appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab.

In response, the Nigerian billionaire noted that being invited to the group was an honor as he looks forward to creating sustainable development with his peers, as reported by the Punch.

“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” he said.

“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies.

SEE ALSO: Aliko Dangote, Johann Rupert, and other African billionaires break their net-worth record

Drawing inspiration from the remarkable successes of the Asian Tigers, which have demonstrated the power of strategic investment and focused economic policy, I am eager to collaborate with fellow leaders to replicate such outcomes across other regions,” he added.

What the World Bank said

Under the broader expansion of its Private Sector Investment Lab, which is at present starting a new phase, the World Bank, on Wednesday, announced Dangote’s appointment.

This new phase is aimed at scaling up ideas to attract private capital and generate employment in the developing world,

During the announcement, they mentioned that they had invited the Nigerian billionaire, alongside Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair of Bharti Enterprises, and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, to the recent iteration of the Lab.

The global lender noted that the new chapter has expanded the Lab’s membership to include industry executives with experience creating jobs in developing markets, which is consistent with the Bank’s growing role in job creation as a major driver of growth.

Currently, according to the Dangote website, Dangote cement alone has been able to support 54,000 employment in four African nations where the business operates, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, and South Africa.

His recently established single train 650,000 barrels refinery also employs 29,000 Nigerians and 11,000 foreigners.

“These industries have a proven ability to translate investment into broad-based employment and economic opportunity”, the Bank said.

“We are grateful to the original Lab leaders who helped us deliver strong results in the initial work period,” the bank added.

DON’T MISS THIS: Top 10 best-performing African billionaires in 2025 thus far

AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ninety One, Ping An Group, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy for All, Tata Sons, Temasek, and Three Cairns Group were among the notable CEOs who launched the Lab.

Shriti Vadera, the chair of Prudential plc, is in charge of the lab.