President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has accepted an appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, joining a select group of global business leaders tasked with advancing investment and job creation in emerging economies.
Dangote, in a statement released Wednesday, expressed his excitement about the new role and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through private sector-led initiatives.
“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,” Dangote said.
“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies. Drawing inspiration from the Asian Tigers, I’m eager to collaborate with fellow leaders to replicate their success stories in Africa and beyond,” he added.
The World Bank noted that Dangote’s inclusion comes as the Lab enters a new phase focused on scaling up solutions to attract private capital and accelerate job creation globally.
Joining him in the Lab are other prominent business figures including Bayer CEO Bill Anderson, Bharti Enterprises Chair Sunil Bharti Mittal, and Hyatt Hotels President and CEO Mark Hoplamazian.
The Lab, previously co-chaired in 2023 by Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, aims to mobilize £1 trillion in sustainable investment, particularly to support the energy transition in emerging markets.
According to the World Bank President, Ajay Banga, the Lab is about practical impact: “This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns and uplift economies.”
Over the past 18 months, the Lab has engaged with global financial leaders to understand and address key barriers to private investment in developing regions. Their work has now been consolidated into five priority areas that will guide World Bank operations going forward.
The Dangote Group, founded by Aliko Dangote, is the largest conglomerate in West Africa. It spans key industries such as cement, sugar, fertiliser, oil, and salt, employing over 30,000 people and standing as Nigeria’s largest private-sector employer and taxpayer.
The Group’s $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals project is the single largest private investment in Africa.
Dangote also leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation—the largest private philanthropic organization in sub-Saharan Africa—focused on nutrition, health, education, and empowerment.
