Halima Dangote: Father Has Committed One-Third of Wealth to Charity

Halima Dangote, Executive Director of Dangote Industries Limited, says Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has committed about one-third of his wealth to charitable causes to ensure his philanthropic legacy endures for generations.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday, Halima said the billionaire businessman has already donated 25 percent of his wealth to the Aliko Dangote Foundation and has further committed approximately 33 percent of his inheritance to charity in line with Islamic principles.

According to her, the decision reflects Dangote’s long-standing belief that philanthropy should be institutionalised rather than treated as a one-time gesture.

“He sort of put all the structure in place whereby we focus a lot on health and education. He actually donated 25 percent to the foundation,” she said.

“If you look at it, it is what we call in Sharia Code in Islam; it means he has donated 33 percent of his whole inheritance to his foundation.”

Halima explained that the arrangement was designed to ensure the foundation continues its work across generations, regardless of changes within the family.

“Philanthropy needs to be in existence generation after generation. So giving back is part and parcel of what we do,” she said.

She added that Dangote believes the success of his business empire is closely tied to his commitment to giving back to society, making philanthropy a core part of the family’s values.

“We believe we’re here, that our business is successful because of the giving back and because of the philanthropic aspect. That is why the 33 percent is important,” Halima said.

She disclosed that Dangote requested his three daughters and his mother to formally approve the arrangement.

“He asked myself, my two sisters and his mother to sign under that will that he is able to give that 33 percent to humanity,” she added.

Dangote has repeatedly expressed his desire to devote a significant portion of his fortune to charitable causes.

In 2019, he said he hoped to emulate Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates by donating much of his wealth to philanthropy.

He reaffirmed that commitment in December 2025, announcing that 25 percent of his wealth had been officially dedicated to the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

Established in 1984, the foundation supports programmes in healthcare, education, nutrition and humanitarian assistance across Nigeria and other African countries.