Africa’s foremost industrialist and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, will receive the Expo Africa Brazil Leadership Award 2026 at the forthcoming Expo Africa Brazil in December.

The award, described by the organisers as the highest international distinction conferred by the Expo, was unanimously approved by the event’s International Honors Committee.

According to João Canda, President of Expo Africa Brazil, the recognition reflects Dangote’s contribution to African industrialisation, job creation and the continent’s growing role in global trade.

Canda said the decision was “one of the most significant institutional resolutions” adopted since the creation of the platform.

He said the award recognised not only Dangote’s business achievements but also his long-term commitment to industrial development and cross-continental economic partnerships.

“This recognition celebrates not only extraordinary business achievement, but a lifetime commitment to industrialising Africa, creating jobs, and positioning the continent as a central player in global trade,” Canda said.

He added that Dangote represented the kind of leadership and investment the organisers hoped to promote through stronger economic relations between Africa, Brazil and the wider Americas.

The award will be formally presented during Expo Africa Brazil 2026, scheduled to hold from December 3 to 5, 2026, in Brazil.

The three-day summit is expected to bring together government officials, private-sector leaders, development finance institutions and other stakeholders to explore opportunities for increased trade and investment between Africa and Latin America.

Organisers said delegations from more than 25 African countries are expected to attend the event, alongside senior representatives of the Brazilian government, Latin American institutions and international business groups.

More than 1,000 delegates, including ministers, chief executive officers and development finance leaders, are projected to participate.

The summit’s agenda will cover investment, infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, technology and financing, with particular attention to removing trade barriers and improving logistics between West Africa and South America.

Discussions are also expected to examine opportunities for joint ventures in manufacturing, renewable energy and food security.

Dangote’s selection for the award highlights the growing importance of African industrial capacity in global supply chains.

Through Dangote Group, the businessman has built major investments across sectors including cement, agriculture and energy, with the group emerging as one of Africa’s largest industrial conglomerates.

Canda said Africa and Brazil had complementary economic strengths that could provide a foundation for deeper South-South cooperation.

“Africa brings demographic growth and productive capacity. Brazil brings market access and industrial experience,” he said.

The organisers said the Expo would feature policy dialogues, sector panels and government-to-business engagements aimed at translating diplomatic relations into concrete commercial partnerships.

They said the broader objective was to establish institutional frameworks capable of sustaining economic cooperation between Africa and Latin America beyond the event.

The organisers said Dangote’s recognition was therefore intended to serve both as a tribute to his industrial leadership and as a symbol of the type of Africa-Latin America partnerships the summit seeks to advance.