Nigerian billionaire and business leader Aliko Dangote, founder and chairman of Dangote Group, will attend the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) in Egypt, which will take place from Nov. 6-8, 2026, under the auspices of H.E The Egyptian Prime Minister and Cooperation with MSMEDA Agency, the GEF organizers announced on Wednesday.
The event is expected to bring together leading entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and experts from around the world, with discussions focused on investment, innovation and economic cooperation. Dangote is one of Africa’s most prominent businessmen and the founder and chief executive of Dangote Group, West Africa’s largest conglomerate.
The group has a presence in 17 African countries and operates across strategic sectors including cement, oil refining, fertilizer, food and other industries. Forbes currently estimates Dangote’s net worth at around $31 billion, making him Africa’s richest person and one of the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
His participation in the festival comes as his business empire enters a major phase of expansion. Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, built at a cost of about $20 billion, is planning a $14.3 billion expansion that would double its processing capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2029.
The refinery has also launched preparations for an initial public offering expected to raise about $1.63 billion,in what Reuters has reported is set to be Africa’s largest-ever IPO. Dangote has a longstanding connection with Egypt. He is a graduate of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, where he studied business, before returning to Nigeria and beginning his business career.
His education in Egypt has been described as an important chapter in his early life and career. Baher Mounir Ghabbour, chairman of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival – Egypt, said the hosting of the festival reflects Egypt’s growing position as a regional hub for entrepreneurship, innovation and investment and demonstrates its ability to host major international events bringing together policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs.
“The participation of a business leader of Aliko Dangote’s stature underlines the importance of the festival as an international platform for investment and economic cooperation, while highlighting the opportunities available across African markets,” Ghabbour said.
He added that Dangote’s participation in the festival in Egypt reflects growing interest and confidence among African and international business leaders in the Egyptian market and its investment opportunities. Ghabbour also said startups have become an increasingly important driver of economic growth, job creation, productivity and competitiveness, adding that their ability to innovate, scale and enter regional and international markets makes them an essential part of the future economy.
He noted that Egypt is working to strengthen its entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem, improve the business and investment climate and promote an innovation- and knowledge-driven economy capable of competing regionally and globally.