South African executive Thabo Mabe takes top job at Dangote Sugar Refinery

South African executive Thabo Mabe is set to lead Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc., the sugar business of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Mabe moves from his role as Managing Director at NASCON Allied Industries, the salt and savory foods business largely owned by Dangote, to take charge of the country’s largest sugar producer, guiding its operations and strategic growth.

The company confirmed the leadership change in a market update posted on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) website. Ravindra Singhvi will step down as Group Managing Director/CEO on November 30, 2025, and Mabe will assume the role effective December 1, 2025, pending approval by shareholders at the next general meeting.

Thabo Mabe rises from Unilever to Dangote

Mabe, who earned a degree in Chemistry and Mathematics from Fort Hare University in South Africa began his career at Unilever as a graduate trainee. Over the years he held key roles spanning manufacturing, production, sales and supply chain management, building deep operational experience.

In 2004, the South African executive became Vice President, Supply Chain for Unilever HPC, and after the consolidation of Unilever’s HPC and Foods divisions, he was promoted to Vice President, Homecare. By 2010, he joined the board of Unilever Nigeria Plc. and later became CEO, leading the company to higher market share and improved production efficiency.

Thabo Mabe joined the Dangote Group in 2014 as CEO of Dangote Flour Mills, transforming the business into a profitable enterprise. After the group divested from the flour business in 2019 he moved to Dangote Rice Limited and subsequently to NASCON. With experience spanning South Africa, Germany and Nigeria, his recent appointment aligns with Dangote Sugar Refinery’s succession plan to ensure steady leadership and value creation for shareholders.

Dangote Sugar plans $700 million expansion

Dangote Sugar Refinery is planning more than $700 million in investments, including land development, equipment upgrades, infrastructure, staff training and community programs, in a move to expand local raw sugar production to meet demand and support future growth.

The top sugar producer currently produces 1.44 million metric tons annually. In the first nine months of 2025, revenue increased to N626.24 billion ($434.6 million), up from N484.42 billion ($336 million) during the same period last year. Losses narrowed from N184.4 billion ($128 million) in the same period of 2024 to N10.59 billion ($7.3 million) marking one of the company’s strongest operational improvements in recent years.