Why we keep low profiles despite our wealth — Halima Dangote

Halima Dangote, Group Executive Director at Dangote Family Office and International Offices, has explained why she and her sisters, Mariya and Fatima, have maintained a relatively low public profile despite their privileged upbringing.

Halima spoke during a Bloomberg Next Africa interview with her sisters, where she said the three women had deliberately chosen not to draw attention to their family background, possessions or positions.

According to her, the sisters prefer to allow their professional achievements and business results to speak for them rather than publicly identifying themselves through their family name.

“Anytime we meet with our co-peers, like the kids of our dad’s friends… everyone has his own job. We’re quiet in the sense that we don’t say who we are,” Halima said.

She said remaining private was easier when the sisters were not widely recognised, adding that their achievements had always been more important to them than public attention.

“I don’t know if it’s fortunate or unfortunate now people recognise us, but it was easier when we’re not recognised, you know, our results speak for itself,” she said.

Halima noted that people differ in how comfortable they are with publicity and social media, but said she and her sisters were not particularly interested in showcasing their wealth or personal activities.

“Some people are really comfortable with the social media, with being known, with being expressive,” she said.

“I don’t think we are, all three of us were not expressive of what we have, what we own, what we’re doing.”

The Dangote executive said the sisters instead focus on the performance of the businesses and organisations in which they hold senior positions.

She said business growth, profits, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and other measurable outcomes provide a more meaningful indication of their contribution.

“I think like Fatima and Mariya said, the results are just the ones speaking for itself,” Halima said.

“The sale of this business, the profit of this, the EBITDA, our growth, us growing 200 billion dollars, we are all in those key positions and I mean numbers don’t lie,” she added.

Halima, Mariya and Fatima hold senior positions within the Dangote business group, with their responsibilities covering different areas of the family-owned conglomerate.