Business
US Journal Announces Dangote as World’s 11th Greatest Leader
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Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has been ranked 11th in the club of World’s 50 Greatest Leaders for this year.
The rating was announced by Fortune, a multinational business magazine based in New York City, United States. It focuses mainly on privately-run businesses and how their promoters have used them to impact their society positively.
The magazine, which had its maiden edition published in February 1930, said the world’s greatest leaders (both men and women) are transforming the world and inspiring others to do so in business, government, philanthropy and the arts.
It said: “These thinkers, speakers and doers make bold choices and take big risks – and move others to do the same.”
It was learnt that Fortune magazine was recognising and including Aliko Dangote in the annual ranking for the first time. Specifically, Dangote having popped up in the magazine’s radar earned nomination after being adjudged as having used business to acquire wealth and converting the wealth into impactful philanthropy through his Aliko Dangote Foundation.
The top 10 greatest men and women, according to Fortune are: Bill and Melinda Gates; Jacinda Ardem (Prime Minister, New Zealand); Robert Mueller (Special Counsel, Department of Justice); Pony Ma (Founder and CEO, Tencent); Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft); Greta Thunberg (Student and climate activist, Sweden); Margrethe Vestager (Commissioner for Competition, European Union); Anna Nimiriano (Editor-in-Chief, Juba Monitor); Jose Andres (Chef/Founder, World Central Kitchen); and Dough Mcmillon and Lisa Woods (CEO; Senior Director, Strategy & Design for U.S. Benefits, Walmart).
Dangote’s rating as one of the greatest business leaders has attracted comments by eminent persons around the world, who described him as worthy of the nomination going by his business acumen and philanthropic gestures.
Global business giant and founder of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gate, extolled the efforts of Dangote in making businesses play roles in provision of sound public health through his various interventions in health care issues, especially in the fight against malnutrition and routine polio.
Gates, who tops the list of World’s Greatest Leaders, said: “Aliko Dangote, through his leadership at the Aliko Dangote Foundation, is a key partner in the Polio eradication effort, strengthening routine immunisation and fighting malnutrition in Nigeria and across Africa. Aliko bridges the gap between private business and public health in a unique way and our shared belief that Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive drives our partnership.”
Renowned activist and co-founder of ONE, Paul David Hewson (popularly called Mr. Bono), said he was not surprised at Dangote’s feat globally, describing his vision “as big as the African continent”.
Bono, a global campaigner on taking action to end extreme poverty, especially in Africa said: “Aliko has a vision just the size of his continent, but with humility of somebody who has just started his first job. It’s no surprise to me that Fortune would recognise his leadership because we have seen first-hand, through his service on ONE’s Board, the benefits of his wise counsel and grace.”
Also, economic analyst Bismark Rewane, stated: “Aliko remains understated but very potent and Africa’s most successful and decorated entrepreneur. He is a global financial and managerial behemoth.”
That wealth is based on a big bet on Nigeria’s economic independence: Dangote’s peers give him credit for helping the country become self-sufficient in the sectors in which his companies compete (cement, agriculture and mining)
The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) is the Philanthropic endeavor of the business mogul. The main objective of the Foundation is to reduce the number of lives lost to malnutrition and disease. The Foundation is poised to combat Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in children, as the core of its programming. It has also resolved to use its investments in health, education, and economic empowerment to help lift people out of poverty.
Dangote was last year ranked among 75 most powerful persons on the planet. He was rated ahead of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
He has been named among most powerful persons in the world for the past five consecutive years. According to the Forbe’s 2018 ranking of the World Powerful people, Dangote ranked among world leaders like Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump – all of whom were ranked first, second and third respectively.
He was the only Nigerian on the list and one of the only two Africans who made the list with the other being the Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who was ranked 45th most powerful.
He was named among the 100 most influential personalities in the world in 2018 byTime Magazine, a leading business broadcast organisation. The CNBC had earlier in same year ranked Dangote as one of the 25 people that have had most profound impact on business and finance worldwide.
He was rated the most influential African by Jeune Afrique in their classification of the most influential 50 Africans in 2018, and was also named the 6th most charitable person in the world in the same year according to Richtopia, a United Kingdom-based digital platform. He is, in addition, the richest African, according to Forbes.
Dangote stepped up his humanitarian activities recently spending billions of to build hospitals and critical hospital equipment, the lack of which has promoted medical tourism among the few privileged.
He recently donated a N1.2 billion Business School complex to the Bayero University in Kano and another one for the University of Ibadan Business School. Last month, he donated 10 blocks of hall of students’ hostel with capacity for 2,160 beds to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State
Dangote has, through the Foundation been disbursing N10 billion to vulnerable women across the 774 local governments in the country.
Dangote made a donation of $2 million to the World Food Programme as part of efforts to help Pakistani nationals devastated by floods in the year 2010.
He was made the chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief, which raised in excess of N11.35 billion, of which Dangote himself contributed N2.5 billion, an amount higher than the entire contribution from the 36 state governors in Nigeria.
The Foundation has spent over N7 billion in the troubled Northeast for the reintegration of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through improved access to affordable financing, business advisory services and capacity-building initiatives.
The bank restated this commitment at the Abuja edition of its quarterly SME Business Forum, themed “Built to Compete: Positioning Abuja Businesses for Sustainable Growth”. The forum brought together entrepreneurs, industry stakeholders and regulatory representatives to address key issues affecting business competitiveness and growth.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director, North Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, Sufiyanu Garba, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs with financing, knowledge, connections and solutions, while urging business owners to strengthen their financial discipline, structures and use of technology.
“A business may record strong sales and still struggle with cash flow. Sustainable growth requires business owners to understand what drives profitability, manage costs and working capital effectively, keep reliable records and use technology to make better decisions. These are the disciplines that position businesses to access finance, pursue larger opportunities and compete successfully,” he said.
He emphasized that Fidelity Bank provides financing solutions covering working capital, overdrafts, term lending, asset and equipment finance, trade finance and structured lending, tailored to businesses’ funding needs and operating cycles.
Garba further disclosed that the bank was collaborating with on-lending institutions to facilitate access to intervention funds at interest rates ranging from 10 to 16 per cent, depending on the applicable scheme.
“Access to affordable finance remains critical to SME growth. At Fidelity Bank, we are working with intervention funding partners to provide eligible businesses with financing at significantly reduced interest rates. Our goal is to ensure that promising businesses have the financial support they need to grow sustainably,” He said.
He added that the initiative was designed to ease financing pressures on entrepreneurs, particularly women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises and businesses operating in green sectors.
The forum also provided a platform for entrepreneurs to engage regulatory stakeholders on taxation, customs procedures, importation, exportation and other issues affecting business operations.
Commending the initiative, Secretary of the Iron Dealers Association, Mararaba, Okwuchukwu Okolo, described the forum as a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage directly with the bank and relevant regulatory agencies.
“The Fidelity Bank SME Business Forum provided useful clarification on multiple taxation and customs procedures. It is encouraging to have a platform where business owners can raise concerns, receive practical guidance and better understand their regulatory obligations,” Okolo said.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer, Febesth Global Resources Limited, Abuja, Folake Olufemi, applauded Fidelity Bank for facilitating knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities.
“I gained valuable insights into importation procedures and the appropriate channels for resolving customs-related complaints. The forum also created opportunities to network and engage directly with the bank on challenges affecting our businesses,” she said.
With successful editions held in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja, the Fidelity SME Quarterly Business Forum forms part of the bank’s broader commitment to equipping Nigerian entrepreneurs with the financing, knowledge, market access and strategic connections required to build resilient and competitive businesses.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international awards, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.
Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience through its support for environmental education and community-based conservation at the 20th edition of the Walk for Nature in Lagos.
The bank reaffirmed this commitment at this year’s event, organised in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Lagos State Government, held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, themed, “Inspired for Climate Action”, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, described the milestone event as a testament to the power of sustained partnerships in advancing environmental conservation and encouraging responsible environmental practices.
“At Fidelity Bank, we recognise that environmental sustainability is integral to building resilient communities and supporting long-term economic growth. Our commitment goes beyond advocacy to practical initiatives that promote cleaner energy, environmental awareness and responsible resource management,” Nwagboh said.
Reaffirming the bank’s commitment to environmental preservation, Nwagboh highlighted Fidelity Bank’s continued support for renewable energy solutions, environmental education, tree-planting programmes, recycling initiatives and community beautification projects.
“The theme, ‘Inspired for Climate Action” reminds us that environmental awareness must translate into practical action. Every individual has a role to play, whether through conserving resources, reducing waste, planting trees or adopting more sustainable lifestyles. By working together, we can build a cleaner, greener and more resilient Nigeria for future generations”. He said.
Nwagboh also commended the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the Lagos State Government for their longstanding collaboration with the bank, noting that meaningful progress in addressing environmental challenges required sustained commitment from public and private sector stakeholders.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, stressed the importance of protecting wetlands, mangroves and waterways to reduce flooding risks.
He disclosed that the state was targeting the planting of 20,000 trees in 2026 to improve environmental quality and strengthen urban resilience.
“Protecting our wetlands, waterways and green spaces is essential to reducing flooding and building a climate-resilient Lagos. Residents must also take responsibility by disposing of waste properly and adopting environmentally friendly practices,” Dr. Gaji said.
In a goodwill message, environmental advocate and Founder of Green Education for the Youth, Chief Olufunso Amosun, urged young people to champion environmental conservation beyond organised events.
“Environmental protection requires consistent action. Young people can make a difference by educating their peers, promoting sustainable habits and becoming ambassadors for conservation in their communities,” Amosun said.
The Walk for Nature partnership forms part of Fidelity Bank’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and community development, reflecting its continued efforts to promote responsible environmental practices through strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international awards, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) Innovation Award for MSME support; Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers; Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards. The Bank also received the inaugural Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award by Nairametrics, the SME Bank of the Year award by NewsDirect, and the Straight-Through Processing (STP) Excellence Award by Citi Group, in addition to recognition by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.
Business
EIB-Backed Boost Africa Fuels Daya’s Ambition to Connect African Businesses to Global Markets
Moving money across borders should not be more difficult than doing business across borders. Yet, for many African businesses, international payments remain slow, expensive and complicated.
Nigerian fintech company Daya is working to address these challenges by developing financial solutions designed to make cross-border transactions faster, simpler and more accessible.
Through Boost Africa, a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB), supported by the European Union (EU), financing is reaching innovative African businesses through venture capital funds.
Daya, backed by Janngo Capital, a venture capital firm supported by Boost Africa, demonstrates how this investment model is helping African entrepreneurs develop solutions to real-world challenges and pursue new growth opportunities.
In a video, Tomiwa “Aleph” Lasebikan shares the story behind Daya, the challenges the company is addressing and how investment is helping transform an ambitious idea into a growing business with aspirations to connect Africa to global markets.
The story highlights the role of investment beyond capital provision, showing how financial backing can support innovation, business development and solutions to challenges affecting African businesses.
Through initiatives such as Boost Africa, the EIB and its partners are supporting entrepreneurs working to unlock opportunities across the continent.
Watch the video to learn more about Daya’s growth journey and the impact of Boost Africa:
