Africa’s wealthiest individuals continue to make their mark on the latest Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List, which features some of the continent’s most prominent business magnates.
Among them are Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Johann Rupert, Abdulsamad Rabiu and Femi Otedola, who rank among the richest Africans this year.
Since 1987, Forbes has been tracking billionaires starting with just 140 individuals. In 2025, the list reached a record-breaking 3,028 billionaires globally, representing an increase of 247 from the previous year.
Their combined net worth stands at a staggering $16.1 trillion, nearly $2 trillion more than in 2024.
However, the United States of America continues to dominate the list with 902 billionaires, followed by China (including Hong Kong) with 516 and India with 205.
However, Africa’s presence remains significant, with its wealthiest figures expanding their influence across various industries.
NB: Forbes compiled its rankings using stock prices and exchange rates as of March 7, 2025.
See the Africans who made the Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List below:
1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria) – $23.9B (#83)
Africa’s richest person, founder and chairman of Dangote Cement, operating in 10 African countries. Also owns a fertilizer plant and the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria.
2. Johann Rupert & Family (South Africa) – $14B (#165)
Chairman of Richemont, owner of Cartier and Montblanc. Holds stakes in Remgro (7%) and Reinet (27%).
3. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family (South Africa) – $10.4B (#258)
Heir to the De Beers diamond fortune. Sold his 40% stake to Anglo American for $5.1B in 2012. Owns 720 square miles of conservation land across Africa.
4. Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) – $9.6B (#289)
Runs OCI, a global nitrogen fertilizer producer, and owns stakes in Adidas (6%), Madison Square Garden Sports (5%), and Aston Villa FC.
5. Nathan Kirsh (Eswatini) – $7.3B (#443)
Owns 70% of Jetro Holdings, which operates restaurant supply stores in the U.S. Built his wealth in food distribution and property development.
6. Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) – $6.8B (#498)
Built his fortune in telecoms (Globacom), Nigeria’s second-largest mobile network, and oil (Conoil Producing), which operates 6 oil blocks.
7. Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria) – $5.1B (#700)
Founder of BUA Group, active in cement, sugar, and real estate. Owns 98.2% of BUA Cement and 95% of BUA Foods.
8. Naguib Sawiris (Egypt) – $5B (#717)
Made billions in telecom after selling Orascom Telecom in 2011. Invests in tech, finance, and luxury resorts.
9. Koos Bekker (South Africa) – $3.4B (#1072)
Transformed Naspers into a global media giant through its stake in Tencent. Oversees MultiChoice Group and Prosus.
10. Mohamed Mansour (Egypt) – $3.4B (#1072)
Oversees Mansour Group, with major holdings in GM dealerships, Caterpillar distribution, and private equity.
11. Patrice Motsepe (South Africa) – $3B (#1219)
Founder of African Rainbow Minerals. Also owns Mamelodi Sundowns FC and holds a stake in Sanlam.
12. Issad Rebrab & Family (Algeria) – $3B (#1219)
Founder of Cevital, Algeria’s largest privately-owned company, with interests in sugar refining, home appliances, and aluminum.
13. Michiel Le Roux (South Africa) – $2.2B (#1626)
Founder of Capitec Bank, which serves South Africa’s emerging middle class. Owns about 11% of the company.
14. Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania) – $2.2B (#1626)
CEO of METL, operating in 10 African countries across textiles, milling, and beverages. Tanzania’s only billionaire.
15. Othman Benjelloun & Family (Morocco) – $1.6B (#2110)
CEO of BMCE Bank of Africa, with investments in insurance and telecom.
16. Anas Sefrioui & Family (Morocco) – $1.6B (#2110)
Founder of Groupe Addoha, specializing in low-cost housing development.
17. Jannie Mouton & Family (South Africa) – $1.5B (#2233)
Founder of PSG Group, an investment firm with stakes in banking, agriculture, and education.
18. Femi Otedola (Nigeria) – $1.5B (#2233)
Chairman of Geregu Power. Formerly in commodities, he now invests in energy and banking.
19. Christoffel Wiese (South Africa) – $1.5B (#2233)
Built Pepkor, later sold to Steinhoff International. Major shareholder in Shoprite and various real estate investments.
20. Aziz Akhannouch & Family (Morocco) – $1.5B (#2233)
Majority owner of Akwa Group, with interests in petroleum, gas, and chemicals. Morocco’s Prime Minister since 2021.
21. Youssef Mansour (Egypt) – $1.4B (#2356)
Part of the Mansour Group, overseeing Metro supermarkets and L’Oréal distribution in Egypt.
22. Yasseen Mansour (Egypt) – $1.2B (#2623)
Shareholder in Mansour Group and chairman of Palm Hills Developments, a major real estate firm.
23. Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe) – $1.2B (#2623)
Founder of Econet Wireless and EcoCash, with investments in telecom, fintech, and power distribution.
With additional files from Forbes
MA