21 Revelations by Dangote in his last interview with David Rubenstein
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has made some interesting disclosures about his life, wealth and future plans.
The estimated net worth of the investor is US$15 billion, making him the 96th wealthiest man in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
He is the Chairman of the Dangote Group, which has interests in commodities in Nigeria and other African countries.
Away from his busy schedule, he shared some secrets to his success and discuses philanthropy and plans expand his empire as he appeared on “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer Conversations.”
Below are 21 comments compiled by TheGhanaReport.com from the interview:
1. Some of us will need to lead in the development of Africa through business and not political leadership (i.e being the President of Nigeria).
2. I will like to buy English Premiership club, Arsenal, one day.
3. I come from a wealthy family. My late grandfather, in the 1940s, was the richest West African. My late grandfather was one of the wealthiest Nigerians and my father too was highly rich.
4. I am very proud that I didn’t inherit anything from my father but built my wealth from scratch.
5. My father died when I was 8 years old. I donated everything from my father to charity.
6. I studied in Egypt and worked with my uncle before starting trading in cement.
7. We are building the largest single-train refinery in the world in Nigeria. It will process about 650,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
8. Countries I can suggest for non-Africans to invest in Africa are Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Kenya.
9. I can’t invest in every sector so I am very choosy.
10. Over the weekends I drive around the city by myself.
11. People don’t ask me for money in town but I get a lot of requests for selfies.
12. If you want to invest in any business you must know the business from A-Z.
13. We are investing US$20billion in projects.
14. I will work actively for the next 15 years.
15. You must work very hard and have the tenacity to continue and also be focused to be like Dangote.
16. I get upset when people try to outsmart me. I like people who are honest.
17. We will start investments in New York, US.
18. I am not a collector of arts when I have excess money, I put it in charity.
19. I don’t have a very expensive lifestyle.
20. My greatest pleasure in life is building my company and giving away extra money.
21. If there is no luck you will not be able to make it.