Business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is the most powerful man in Africa and 64th in the world, according to latest rankings released yesterday by Forbes magazine.

The Dangote Group President, by far Africa’s richest man with a net worth of $16.1bn as at last March, is ranked ahead of other international figures such as John Boehner (66), FIFA President Sepp Blatter (69); and Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Mohammed Ibrahim (71).

Forbes said about the 56-year-old Dangote, currently 43 on the Forbes list of the world’s billionaires: “Inspired by fellow billionaires, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, Dangote is making a name for himself on the philanthropic circuit and has given away millions to education, health and social causes in Africa.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin tops 72-people list, displacing United States President Barrack Obama, who drops to the second spot for the first time in three years. Chinese President Xi Jinping occupies is third and newcomer Pope Francis fourth.

•Photo shows Dangote.