KEY POINTS
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The Dangote Sugar leadership transition introduces a new phase of operational rebuilding.
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Thabo Mabe’s appointment strengthens the Dangote Sugar leadership transition strategy.
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The company expects stable market performance after the Dangote Sugar leadership transition.
Thabo Mabe, a South African executive, has been appointed to lead Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, the sugar division of billionaire Aliko Dangote’s industrial empire, signifying yet another internal transition within one of Nigeria’s most prominent enterprises. Mabe transitions from his position as Managing Director at NASCON Allied Industries, the group’s salt and seasoning division, to oversee the nation’s largest sugar producer as it pursues expansion initiatives and addresses a challenging operational landscape.
Dangote Sugar leadership transition overview
The company announced the leadership shift in a filing with the Nigerian Exchange. Ravindra Singhvi will resign from his role as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer on November 30, 2025, with Mabe anticipated to take up the position the subsequent day. The appointment requires shareholder approval at the forthcoming general meeting, a customary procedure that the group typically executes promptly.
Mabe pursued studies in Chemistry and Mathematics at Fort Hare University in South Africa prior to commencing a graduate trainee position with Unilever. He established his early career within the multinational’s manufacturing and supply chain activities, progressing through positions that acquainted him with production systems, sales frameworks, and logistics networks. By 2004, he had ascended to the position of Vice President of Supply Chain for Unilever’s HPC division. Subsequent to the amalgamation of the company’s home and meals divisions, he received another promotion, this time to Vice President of Homecare. His appointment to the board of Unilever Nigeria Plc. in 2010 established the foundation for his subsequent tenure.
Growth outlook under the leadership transition
He commenced his tenure with the Dangote Group in 2014 as CEO of Dangote Flour Mills, successfully reversing losses and reinstating profitability. Following the group’s divestiture from the flour unit in 2019, Mabe transitioned to Dangote Rice Limited and then to NASCON. His experience in South Africa, Germany, and Nigeria, along with a history of consistent operational enhancements, renders him a reliable choice for Dangote Sugar’s succession strategy.
According to billionaire Africa, Dangote Sugar is currently engaged in a multi-year investment initiative over $700 million, encompassing land development, equipment enhancements, infrastructure improvements, workforce training, and local community activities. The corporation intends to augment raw sugar output to satisfy domestic demand and ensure future growth. Current output is 1.44 million metric tons annually.
Financial figures for the first nine months of 2025 indicate that revenue increased to N626.24 billion ($434.6 million) from N484.42 billion ($336 million) during the corresponding period of 2024. Losses significantly decreased to N10.59 billion ($7.3 million) from N184.4 billion ($128 million) the previous year, signifying one of the company’s most robust operational recoveries in recent times.
