Aliko Dangote (Founder & Chairman, Dangote Industries) has always said that succession planning and strategy are not just contingency plans, but also a growth strategy.
And he’s literally put his money where his mouth is.
Aliko’s daughters – Fatima Dangote and Mariya Dangote – have earned their stripes and both risen to the position of Group Executive Director at Dangote Industries, with a clear grasp of the company’s vision, operations, and strategy.
While Fatima oversees our the Group’s commercial operations (covering all business units, including Sugar, Salt, Cement, and Oil & Gas), Mariya drives strategy and risk management as leader of operations at Dangote Sugar. In her words, “My journey reflects our growth.”
For business owners – whether companies built by themselves or inherited from their family – succession planning is not just about stepping away from the day-to-day operations of their business, but about transitioning from a life defined by business success to one that encompasses a broader spectrum of personal fulfillment and legacy building. It requires careful consideration of how to preserve the business’s wealth and legacy – a shift that usually involves deep emotional and financial planning, as the lines between personal identity and business achievement are intricately woven.
RESOURCES
- Resource 1: Business Succession: 3 Steps to Get it Right [BankAtFirst]
- Resource 2: Plan a Smooth Succession for Your Family Business [Harvard Business Review]