The new year has dawned, and with it comes renewed speculation about the fortunes of the world’s wealthiest individuals. In Africa, a continent rich in resources and brimming with entrepreneurial spirit, a handful of billionaires hold immense sway over economic trajectories and social development.
While their ambitions for further wealth accumulation are often a point of discussion, one cannot ignore the potential influence these high-net-worth individuals have on shaping the future of the continent. When channeled strategically, their vast resources can fuel economic growth, promote social welfare, and drive initiatives towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for Africa.
But who are these titans of industry and finance whose names and faces grace the top of the continent’s wealth pyramid? As the year unfolds, it’s crucial to have a reference point, a snapshot of the landscape at the very beginning.
| Rank | Name | Net worth | Country | Industry | Global rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Johann Rupert & Family | $10.3 billion | South Africa | Luxury goods | 192nd |
| 2. | Aliko Dangote | $9.5 billion | Nigeria | Cement, Sugar | 228th |
| 3. | Nicky Oppenheimer & Family | $8.3 billion | South Africa | Diamonds | 283rd |
| 4. | Nassef Sawiris | $7.4 billion | Egypt | Construction and investments | 345th |
| 5. | Abdulsamad Rabiu | $5.9 billion | Nigeria | Cement, Sugar | 489th |
| 6. | Nathan Kirsh | $5.8 billion | Eswatini (Swaziland) | Retail, real estate | 497th |
| 7. | Issad Rebrab & Family | $4.6 billion | Algeria | Food | 647th |
| 8. | Mohamed Mansour | $3.6 billion | Egypt | Diversified | 854th |
| 9. | Naguib Sawiris | $3.3 billion | Egypt | Telecom | 927th |
| 10. | Mike Adenuga | $3.1 billion | Nigeria | Telecom, oil | 1031st |
