Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has denied reports that he is dead.

Dw-tv3.com reported that Mr Dagote died at age 59 in Germany after a short illness.

The publication has gone viral on social media. However, Mr Dangote tweeted on Sunday that he was “hale, hearty and alive.”

I am hale, hearty and alive. Please disregard malicious report saying otherwise. Thank you.

— Aliko Dangote (@AlikoDangote) 25 September 2016

The 2016 Edition of Forbes' richest people in Africa estimates the Nigerian businessman’s wealth at $16.4 billion, an increase of $700 million from 2015.

The Dangote Group is a diversified and fully integrated conglomerate with an annual group turnover in excess of N450 billion (US$3 billion). The Group's interests span a range of sectors in Nigeria and across Africa. Current interests include cement, sugar, salt, pasta, beverages and real estate with new projects underway in the oil and gas, telecommunications, fertiliser and steel sectors of the economy.