Business
“I Call Him Alicash” – Elumelu Opens Up On Friendship With Dangote
offering insight into both his enterprise and personality.
Aliko Dangote has been named among the 2026 TIME Magazine 100 Most Influential People, with Tony Elumelu authoring his citation and offering insight into both his enterprise and personality.
In the TIME100 tribute published on April 15, 2026, Elumelu described Dangote as “indefatigable, resilient, and foresighted,” adding that he remains “one of the greatest African entrepreneurs of our time.”
Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group, has built a diversified industrial business spanning cement, sugar, and oil, with operations across Africa.
As part of his push to deepen investment in African industry, he recently opened the Dangote Refinery — described as Nigeria’s largest — aimed at refining crude locally and reducing dependence on fuel imports.
“He has shown Africans can create value, with our own resources, on our continent,” Elumelu wrote.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with Dangote, the leading investor said he often draws lessons from him during difficult moments.
“When faced with difficult moments of my own, I will often ask myself: what would Aliko do?” he stated, further disclosing “I call him Alicash because he has the Midas touch.”
Dangote’s inclusion on the list places him alongside global figures such as Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as business leaders including Sundar Pichai and Neal Mohan.
Elumelu, through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, has supported entrepreneurship across Africa via funding, mentorship, and training, promoting private sector-led growth on the continent. He was listed in the year 2020 Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world
The philanthropist’s remarks on Dangote, combining both institutional perspective and personal experience, underscore the role of large-scale indigenous enterprises in shaping Africa’s economic direction.
