Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s billionaire, is Africa’s richest man and 67^th richest man in the world.  In February 2017 he had an estimated net worth of US$12.5 billion.

Dangote owns Nigeria’s Dangote Group. The Dangote Group owns salt factories and flour mills, and is a major importer of rice, fish, pasta, cement and fertilizer. The company exports cotton, cashew nuts, cocoa, sesame seed and ginger to several countries. It also has major investments in real estate, banking, transport, textiles and oil and gas. The company employs over 11,000 people and is the largest industrial conglomerate in West Africa.

The following are some of the lessons we can learn from Aliko Dangote:

1. Age does not really matter in business

Aliko Dangote started entrepreneurship at a very early age. While in primary school, Dangote used to buy a box of sweets and sell them to his classmates.

He started Dangote Company at the age of 21. Currently his company is the main producer of basic commodities in Nigeria with branches in 18 African countries.

2. Learn how to handle critism

Dangote has faced many critisms. Some people speculate that Mr. Dangote receives preferential treatment from the government, because of offering financial help to Nigeria’s politicians. Dangote is also believed to have made large contributions to former Nigerian president Olusegum Obasanjo’s election campaigns.

All this have never made him give up on his career.

3. Get appropriate education and training

Knowing what he wanted to do, Aliko Dangote went to London University to study Business. He spent the first 30 years of his life getting sufficient education.

Do not spent years in engineering school only to venture into fashion.

4. Don’t just focus on selling products, focus on selling the brand.

Do not sell products, sell the brand. Dangote has focused on building his brand over the years. Currently, Dangote is number one brand in many Nigerian households.

5. Learn how to appreciate diversity in business

In the cause of his career, Dangote Group changed from importers to manufacturers.  Initially the company used to important commodities from abroad and sell them to the locals. Currently it manufactures all the commodities used to import.

Dangote Group has control of 13 industries.