(DDM) – Dangote Group has appointed renowned economist and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Director, Dr Mahmud Hassan, as its Group Chief Economist.
The appointment comes at a critical time, as global and domestic markets face heightened volatility due to inflationary pressures, fluctuating commodity prices, and shifting foreign investment patterns. Dangote Group’s decision underscores its strategic intent to rely on deep economic insight and policy intelligence in navigating these challenges.
In his new role, Dr Hassan will serve as the Group’s top adviser on economic strategy, market trends, and policy implications. He will report directly to the Group President, Aliko Dangote, and will be tasked with providing guidance on investment decisions, financial risk management, and the assessment of macroeconomic trends impacting Dangote Industries Limited’s diverse operations across Africa and beyond.
Dr Hassan brings over 30 years of experience in economic policy formulation, financial sector regulation, and central banking. During his distinguished tenure at the CBN, he held several senior positions, including Director of the Trade and Exchange Department and Director of the Monetary Policy Department. He also served as Secretary to the Monetary Policy Committee and as Special Assistant on Economic Policy and Research to the CBN Governor, where he played a key role in shaping Nigeria’s monetary policy frameworks.
Beyond Nigeria, Dr Hassan has contributed significantly to regional economic integration. He has worked as a lead consultant to the African Union Commission on trade integration initiatives and played a pivotal role in efforts toward establishing the African Monetary Fund, reflecting his expertise in cross-border economic collaboration and policy harmonization.
Academically, Dr Hassan holds a PhD in Economics and an MSc in Energy Economics and Policy from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom. He also earned a BSc in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School. He holds professional certifications as a Bank Examiner and AML CFT Analyst, highlighting his deep technical competence in finance and compliance.
Dr Hassan is a Fellow of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Statistical Association, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, and the Compliance Institute of Nigeria. He is also a prolific researcher, with numerous publications covering macroeconomics, monetary policy, energy economics, and financial engineering.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Dr Hassan continues to serve as a visiting professor at several Nigerian universities. He is also the President of the Nigerian Association for Energy Economics, further demonstrating his commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity building within the country.
DDM observes that Dr Hassan’s appointment reflects Dangote Group’s strategic focus on leveraging expert economic guidance to mitigate risks, optimize investment, and maintain leadership in industrial and commercial sectors across Nigeria, Africa, and globally.
As one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, Dangote Group operates across multiple industries, including cement, sugar, salt, flour, and petrochemicals. Having an experienced economist of Dr Hassan’s caliber is expected to enhance the Group’s decision-making processes amid challenging market dynamics.
With Dr Hassan at the helm of economic advisory, Dangote Group aims to strengthen its resilience, support sustainable growth, and remain adaptive in an increasingly uncertain economic environment.