Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, has been named on the 2026 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people, cementing his place among the global figures shaping business, politics, technology, and culture.
Released on April 15, the annual list places Dangote in the Titans category alongside world leaders and top executives including Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mark Carney, Pope Leo XIV, Sundar Pichai, and Neal Mohan.
Dangote is the only Nigerian on this year’s list but not the only African. Five other Africans were recognised: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Precious Matsoso, Anok Yai, Mamadou Amadou Ly, and Zabib Musa Loro, spanning leadership, health, culture, education, and peacebuilding.
This is Dangote’s second TIME100 appearance. He was first honoured in 2014 for his impact on business and philanthropy, making his return more than a decade later a testament to the enduring scale of his global influence.
As founder of Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate, Dangote has built investments across cement manufacturing, sugar refining, fertiliser production, agriculture, and infrastructure, with a recent expansion into energy. The investments have cut import dependence, created jobs, and strengthened local production capacity across the continent.
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In its citation, TIME highlighted his long-term vision of building globally competitive industries using African resources, pointing to his large-scale investments in manufacturing and energy infrastructure as central to Africa’s economic transformation.
Other figures in the Titans category include Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission; Michael and Susan Dell, founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation; and Ralph Lauren, founder of the Ralph Lauren Corporation.
In the Pioneer category, Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas were recognised for advances in genetic therapy, while Aaron Williams was honoured for contributions to heart transplant readiness.
The list also features entertainers Ranbir Kapoor, Dakota Johnson, and Kate Hudson, recognised for their impact in film and broader cultural influence.