[2] The company was founded in 1981 as a trading enterprise, importing sugar, cement, rice, fisheries, and other consumer goods for distribution in the Nigeria market.

In 2016, Dangote signed a contract with CNOOC Group for the installation of a large underwater offshore pipeline.

[8] The company then invested in a cement manufacturing venture at Obajana, Kogi State, with an aggressive strategy, the Obajana plant began production with 5 million tonnes of cement,[6] the group then invested funds in another cement operation at Ibeshe, Ogun State to shore up the local manufacturing sector from about 2.5 million tonnes to up to 8 million tonnes.

[6] To reduce economic and political risk within the country, the group began looking for opportunities to expand beyond Nigeria.

[8] The company's strategy then focused on continental expansion with the building and acquisition of cement plants in African countries.

[6] Today, the Dangote Group is a diversified conglomerate, headquartered in Lagos, with interests across a range of sectors in Africa.

[9][10] Current interests include cement, sugar, flour, salt, seasoning, pasta, beverages and real estate, with new projects in development in oil and natural gas, telecommunications, fertilizer and steel.