Africa's Billionaires' Combined Wealth Exceeds $100 Billion for the First Time
Forbes has released its annual ranking, revealing who leads the continent's economy.
Top 8 African Billionaires:
- Aliko Dangote: Remains unbeatable with a net worth of $25.2 billion, driven by his industrial empire and the Lekki refinery — one of the largest in the world, operational since early 2024.
- Johann Rupert: Confirms his position with $16.1 billion. His Richemont group — comprising Cartier, IWC, and Van Cleef & Arpels — makes him the only African fortune at the pinnacle of global luxury.
- Abdulsamad Rabiu: Sees his fortune surge by 120% to $11.2 billion. His BUA Cement stock has exploded by 135% in just one year, making him a close rival to Dangote.
- Nicky Oppenheimer: Follows with $10.5 billion. The heir to the De Beers diamond dynasty sold his shares in 2012 and has since diversified and expanded his portfolio. Discreet yet indispensable.
- Nassef Sawiris: Maintains a stable net worth of $9.6 billion. As the CEO of OCI, a global fertilizer giant, and a shareholder of Adidas, his consistency stands out in an otherwise turbulent ranking.
- Mike Adenuga: Although he never speaks to the press, his two empires — Globacom in telecoms and Conoil in oil — are valued at approximately $7 billion.
- Patrice Motsepe: Built his fortune in South Africa's gold mines. As the president of the CAF since 2021, he is one of the rare individuals to wield influence in both the African economy and football. His estimated net worth ranges between $3 and $4 billion.
- Issad Rebrab: Closes the top 8 with $3.6 billion. The founder of Cevital, Algeria's largest private group, has navigated 50 years of obstacles, including a 2019 incarceration. He remains the primary fortune in the Maghreb region.
