The Dangote Group has announced a major executive appointment, naming Dr. Hassan Mahmud, a seasoned economist and former Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as its new Group Chief Economist.
The appointment, confirmed in a statement on Monday, December 15, 2025, underscores the conglomerate’s commitment to strengthening its internal economic advisory capacity amid heightened market volatility and rapid policy shifts.
Dr. Mahmud, who boasts over three decades of experience in central banking and economic policy formulation, will report directly to the President of the Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. This reporting structure signals the critical role the function will play in shaping the Group’s operational and financial strategy.
The decision to install a Group Chief Economist with Dr. Mahmud’s credentials comes at a vital time for the Dangote Group, which operates multi-billion-dollar ventures across commodity manufacturing, energy (including the new refinery), and consumer goods throughout Africa.
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The role is tasked with providing the Group with deep insights into economic trends, monetary policy direction, and fiscal risks across its operating markets.
During his tenure at the CBN, Dr. Mahmud held several senior positions, most notably serving as the Director of the Monetary Policy Department, a position that placed him at the core of Nigeria’s interest rate and inflation management decisions.
He also served as the Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, giving him specialized expertise in foreign exchange management, a critical function for a Group with massive import and export needs.
Beyond his national service, Dr. Mahmud brings extensive regional experience, having consulted for the African Union Commission on trade integration and the establishment of the African Monetary Fund.
This pan-African expertise is viewed as a significant asset, supporting the Group’s strategic expansion efforts across the continent and its navigation of the intricacies of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr. Mahmud’s academic background, which includes a PhD in Economics, complements his practical experience, reinforcing the Group’s pursuit of rigorous, data-driven decision-making. The appointment is consistent with the trend among major corporate organizations to invest in top-tier economic intelligence to manage risks inherent in developing markets.
