Top 20 billionaires in Africa in 2025

Africa’s billionaires are not just industry leaders but architects of the continent’s economic and cultural transformation. Through resilience, ambition, and innovation, they demonstrate that global success can emerge from uniquely African roots.

From telecommunications to mining, retail, and luxury goods, these visionaries showcase the economic diversity and potential of Africa. Here’s a closer look at the top 20 billionaires in Africa, based on rankings from Forbes, Bloomberg, and other sources:

1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria, $13.9 billion)
   Africa’s richest man for over a decade, Dangote has reshaped Nigeria’s industrial landscape with ventures in cement, sugar, and flour production. His Dangote Refinery project aims to revolutionize the nation’s oil sector.
2. Johann Rupert (South Africa, $10.1 billion)
   Chairman of Richemont, Rupert oversees luxury brands like Cartier and Montblanc. His journey began with his father’s tobacco business, which he transformed into a global luxury empire.
3. Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa, $9.4 billion)
   After selling the family’s De Beers diamond stake for $5.1 billion, Oppenheimer shifted his focus to philanthropy and environmental conservation across Africa.
4. Nassef Sawiris (Egypt, $8.7 billion)
   A key figure in Egypt’s economy, Sawiris leads Orascom Construction and holds a significant stake in Adidas. His contributions span construction, chemicals, and sports.
5. Mike Adenuga (Nigeria, $6.9 billion)
   Adenuga’s success in oil and telecom sectors through Globacom and Conoil has cemented his status as one of Africa’s most prominent business magnates.
6. Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria, $5.9 billion)
   Founder of BUA Group, Rabiu has expanded his family business into a leading force in manufacturing, focusing on sustainable growth in Nigeria.
7. Naguib Sawiris (Egypt, $3.8 billion)
   Known for his lively personality, Sawiris made his mark in telecom before branching out into media, politics, and investments across Africa and the Middle East.
8. Patrice Motsepe (South Africa, $2.7 billion)
   Africa’s first Black billionaire, Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals has achieved immense success. He has pledged to donate half his wealth to philanthropic causes.
9. Koos Bekker (South Africa, $2.7 billion)
   Bekker transformed Naspers into a global media and tech powerhouse, leveraging a groundbreaking early investment in Tencent.
10. Issad Rebrab (Algeria, $2.5 billion)
    Founder of Cevital, Algeria’s largest private company, Rebrab has built a global presence in the food industry, including one of the world’s largest sugar refineries.
11. Mohamed Mansour (Egypt, $2.5 billion)
    Overseer of the Mansour Group, Mansour has become a key player in Africa’s automotive and retail sectors.
12. Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe, $1.9 billion)
    Founder of Econet, Masiyiwa is a telecom pioneer and philanthropist who exemplifies resilience in overcoming challenges.
13. Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania, $1.8 billion)
    CEO of MeTL Group, Dewji has built Tanzania’s largest conglomerate while prioritizing philanthropy and community impact.
14. Aziz Akhannouch (Morocco, $1.7 billion)
    Both a businessman and Morocco’s Prime Minister, Akhannouch leads Akwa Group, a major player in the oil and gas sector.
15. Prateek Suri (MEA, $1.4 billion)
    Founder of Maser Group, Suri is advancing Africa’s digital transformation through affordable consumer electronics and frontier technologies.
16. Othman Benjelloun (Morocco, $1.4 billion)
    Benjelloun has built a financial empire with BMCE Bank, a cornerstone of North Africa’s banking industry.
17. Youssef Mansour (Egypt, $1.3 billion)
    A key player in Africa’s retail sector, Mansour oversees Egypt’s largest supermarket chain.
18. Christoffel Wiese (South Africa, $1.2 billion)
    Wiese built Shoprite into Africa’s largest retail chain, leaving a lasting impact on the continent’s retail landscape.
19. Femi Otedola (Nigeria, $1.1 billion)
    Otedola has shaped Nigeria’s energy sector through Geregu Power Plc and Zenon Petroleum, becoming a leading investor and philanthropist.
20. Michiel Le Roux (South Africa, $1.1 billion)
    Founder of Capitec Bank, Le Roux revolutionized retail banking with affordable and accessible financial solutions.

These billionaires are catalysts for economic transformation, steering investments into pivotal sectors and redefining industries shaping Africa’s future. Their journeys reflect the continent’s resilience, innovation, and potential for a brighter tomorrow.