Dangote makes Time’s top 100 philanthropists for 2025 — only Nigerian listed

Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, has been named in the inaugural 2025 TIME100 Philanthropy list.

The list, published by TIME Magazine on Tuesday, is an annual recognition that highlights the 100 most influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy across the world.

The billionaire is the only Nigerian on the list, according to a statement.

The list features Dangote, also founder of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), alongside global philanthropists like Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffett, and Melinda Gates.

TIME said the ADF spends $35 million annually on programmes across Africa, approximately over N50 billion yearly on “Giving Back to Africa”.

ADF ONGOING PROJECTS

According to the magazine, the foundation’s ongoing efforts include a $100 million multi-year initiative to combat severe childhood malnutrition.

“Furthermore, an earlier vaccine programme in Nigeria, developed in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others, contributed to the World Health Organisation’s 2020 declaration that polio had been eradicated from Africa, Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa and the last country to eradicate the disease,” TIME said.

“Education is another area where Dangote is making a significant impact. He recently announced a $10 million donation to the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, based in Kano State. The conglomerate has provided a wealth of infrastructural support to the country’s tertiary institutions.

“In 2019, the Federal Government revealed that the N1.2 billion hostel donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was the largest donation ever made by an individual to a university in Nigeria’s history at that time.

“As a member of The Global Business Coalition for Education, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has also focused on early childhood education. Through the Mu Shuka Iri (Let’s Plant a Seed) programme, local women – affectionately known as “Aunties” – are trained in Montessori-style education to become community educators in Kano.

“The foundation’s investments in education include providing vocational training and providing scholarships at the secondary and tertiary levels, in addition to offering annual fellowships through the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders programme.”

Reflecting the foundation’s core priorities, Dangote said investing in nutrition, health, education, and economic empowerment is “their contribution to setting Africans up for success”.

He stressed the need to create the next generation of African leaders, saying it underscores his commitment to long-term societal change.

“My mother instilled in me the ethos of giving back, which inspired my philanthropy 30 years ago,” he said.

“I trust my three daughters will continue this legacy, just as they will continue to grow our business and impact.”

The billionaire expressed his desire to be remembered as Africa’s biggest philanthropist, not just its richest person.