Africa's Biggest Philanthropic Spender is Dangote

Have you heard? That Africa’s richest man and owner of obviously Africa’s largest conglomerate, Aliko Dangote recently stated that he will only give a part of his money to charity. The fact is, that part of the philanthropic spending of N30 billion ($185 million) within the last two years- is the largest expense on charity either by an African individual or company.

Not stopping there, Dangote plans to do more; He was quoted saying: “I am going to try my best and give part of that money to charity. I am working hard on it… I think from this year, I personally want to take philanthropy very seriously. I want to be much more aggressive than what we have had in the past.

He believes that Africans should help Africans. He (Dangote)   added that “We already have a foundation which will do all these things (charities), but I am trying to see what we can do to encourage not only Nigerians but other Africans”, he added.

It’s been disclosed that the conglomerate has spent N30 billion ($185 million) in two years on philanthropic and humanitarian activities.

Some of his philanthropic donations includes: The Dangote Academy worth about N1 billion ($6 million), He also spent N1 billion on the rehabilitation of some Nigerian universities.



Another philanthropic donation includes N2.5 billion ($15.4 million), made two years ago, to cushion the effect of flooding in Nigeria- (this is the single highest donation by a private body in the history of Nigeria). N430 million ($2.8 million) was also given to flood victims, unemployed youths and women in Kogi State in the same year.

Also, in Benue State Nigeria, the Dangote group disclosed that it, among other things, electrified 15 villages at the cost of N115 million. It also donated N100million to victims of Lagos flooding, another N100million to those in Sokoto and N60million to victims of flooding in Oyo State, two years ago.

Recently Dangote group also donated N540 million ($3.3 million) to vulnerable women as a result of insurgency in the North East of Nigeria as well as donating, two months ago, 12 trailer-load of relief items worth N40 million ($246,502) to support the government in bringing succour to victims of communal clash.

Dangote has also been involved in aiding foreign nations with $500,000 donated to victims of explosion in Republic of Congo; $2 million contributed for flood victims in Pakistan; and $740,500 to cushion the effect of famine in Niger Republic.

Culled from: Ventures Africa