Alhaji Aliko Dangote is the founder of the Dangote Group, which he currently presides over as President and Chief Executive. Dangote is a graduate of Business Studies from the Al-Azahar University, Cairo, Egypt. He started business in 1978 trading in rice, sugar and cement, before he ventured into full-scale manufacturing. Currently, the Dangote Group has over 10 subsidiaries spread all over Nigeria. The subsidiaries include cement, sugar, salt, poly products, logistics, real estate, telecommunications, steel and beverages. New projects are underway in petroleum refining, petrochemical and fertilizer plants. The Group operates in 14 African countries including Senegal, Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa, Congo (Brazzaville), Ethiopia, Cameroun, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia and Ghana, among others. The Group's core business focus is to provide local, value-added products and services that meet the 'basic needs' of the Nigerian population. The Dangote Group has risen from its humble beginnings to win several awards—both locally and internationally. In October 2010, Dangote Cement Plc, one of the four listed subsidiaries of the Group, made history when it became the biggest quoted company in the country, following its historic merger with sister company Benue Cement Company Plc (BCC) and the eventual listing of the emergent company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The Dangote Group was rated among Top 40 African Challengers in 2010 by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Alhaji Dangote, who holds the national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), has received several other laurels both within and outside the country, in recognition of his achievements and philanthropy. He is listed by Forbes magazine as a billionaire and richest African.