African Billionaires on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index
The latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which ranks the 500 richest people in the world, highlights the concentration of large African fortunes. While Africa has a few billionaires in this global ranking, Tunisia remains absent.
The only exception in the Top 100 is Aliko Dangote from Nigeria, with a fortune of around $30 billion, mainly thanks to the cement and fertilizer industries. Other African fortunes in the ranking come from South Africa and Egypt, with diverse activities ranging from luxury to telecommunications and industry.
Ranking of Africans in the Global Top 500
According to Bloomberg's 2025 ranking, the following Africans are present in the top 500:
| World Rank | Name | Country | Estimated Fortune (billions $) | Primary Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 74 | Aliko Dangote | Nigeria | 30.00 | Cement, oil, fertilizers |
| 134 | Johann Rupert & family | South Africa | 19.50 | Luxury, investments |
| 221 | Nicky Oppenheimer | South Africa | 13.80 | Diamonds and diversification |
| 316 | Naguib Sawiris | Egypt | 10.60 | Media and telecommunications |
| 353 | Abdulsamad Rabiu | Nigeria | 9.99 | Industry and diversified |
| 360 | Natie Kirsh | South Africa | 9.71 | Food and beverages |
| 365 | Nassef Sawiris | Egypt | 9.58 | Industry and construction |
Comparison with Previous Years
Compared to the 2010s, Africa has increased its presence in the ranking, with previously only 4 or 5 billionaires featured in the top 500.
This list shows that large African fortunes remain concentrated in a few countries, leaving behind smaller or less globalized economies, such as Tunisia. This does not mean that there are no dynamic entrepreneurs at the national or regional level, but rather that the cumulative net worth does not yet exceed the $7 billion threshold required to join the ranking.
