KEY POINTS

• Aliko Dangote has been appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, joining a global team working to boost private investment in emerging markets.

• The lab, now in an expanded phase, focuses on job creation, regulatory stability, and unlocking capital through strategic partnerships.

• Dangote’s appointment strengthens Africa’s representation in global economic dialogues and could catalyze investment across the continent.

The World Bank has appointed Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, to its prestigious Private Sector Investment Lab, positioning him among a select cadre of global business leaders tasked with driving sustainable investment and employment growth across emerging economies.

The appointment, announced on Wednesday, signals the World Bank’s intensified effort to scale up private capital flows into developing nations by drawing on the expertise of influential private sector figures.

According to The Cable, Dangote will join an elite panel that includes Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair of Bharti Enterprises; and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Confirming his acceptance of the role, Dangote emphasized the alignment of the appointment with his enduring vision for Africa’s economic transformation through strategic, private sector-led initiatives.

“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote stated. “This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies.”

He added that the successes of the Asian Tigers offer powerful lessons in how focused investment and strategic policy can reshape entire economies, and he expressed eagerness to help replicate similar growth trajectories across Africa and beyond.

Expanded initiative to focus on private capital

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, highlighted the lab’s broader purpose, noting that it aims to create practical pathways for private sector participation that go beyond corporate social responsibility and focus on scalable, profitable investments.

“This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate,” Banga explained.

Originally co-chaired in 2023 by Canada’s former central bank governor Mark Carney, the Investment Lab launched with the ambition of attracting over £1 trillion in sustainable investment to accelerate the global energy transition. Since then, it has worked closely with financial leaders and development partners to remove key obstacles to private sector investment in low- and middle-income countries.

The lab’s work has been distilled into five priority areas—chief among them, regulatory and policy stability—each now being embedded into World Bank operations to create more predictable environments for private capital.

Its founding members included influential figures and institutions such as AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ping An Group, Standard Chartered, Tata Sons, and Temasek. The initiative is currently chaired by Shriti Vadera, Chair of Prudential plc, who has led the lab’s mission to foster collaboration between public financial institutions and private investors.

Over the past 18 months, the lab has hosted several high-level dialogues with global financial institutions to identify practical, scalable strategies for unlocking private investment. With the addition of Dangote and other new members, the lab now boasts a powerful cross-section of leadership that spans industry, finance, and development expertise.

For Africa, Dangote’s appointment could serve as a catalyst for deepening investor confidence and expanding business partnerships across sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy. His vast experience in industrial development across West Africa provides a unique lens through which the lab can better understand the investment landscape on the continent.

This development also arrives at a time when African nations are seeking more inclusive and sustainable economic frameworks that reduce dependency on aid and promote private-sector-led growth. By joining the lab, Dangote is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping these conversations at the global level.