Forbes has unveiled its 2025 Billionaires List, spotlighting Africa’s wealthiest figures, with prominent business leaders such as Aliko Dangote, Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, and Mike Adenuga making the cut.
Released on Saturday, March 2025, the annual ranking reveals that Africa now boasts 22 billionaires, with a combined wealth of $105 billion—up significantly from $82.4 billion in 2024. This increase is attributed to stronger market valuations and economic progress.
Leading the pack is Aliko Dangote, owner of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, whose net worth has skyrocketed to $23.9 billion, up from $13.9 billion the previous year. Forbes attributes this surge to the refinery’s valuation, which was included in Dangote’s wealth for the first time.
Next in line is Mike Adenuga, chairman of Globacom, who ranks fifth in Africa with a net worth of $6.8 billion, followed closely by Abdulsamad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, who holds the sixth spot with $5.1 billion.
Femi Otedola, chairman of First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings, shares the 16th position with a net worth of $1.5 billion.
Top Richest Africans on the 2025 Forbes List:
- Aliko Dangote (Nigeria) – $23.9 billion (Dangote Petroleum Refinery)
- Johann Rupert (South Africa) – $11.1 billion (Luxury goods, Richemont)
- Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa) – $9.4 billion (Diamonds, De Beers)
- Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) – $6.8 billion (Telecoms, Globacom)
- Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) – $6.7 billion (Construction, Orascom)
- Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria) – $5.1 billion (Cement & Sugar, BUA Group)
- Koos Bekker (South Africa) – $2.8 billion (Media, Naspers)
- Mohamed Mansour (Egypt) – $2.6 billion (Diversified business, Mansour Group)
- Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe) – $2.5 billion (Telecoms, Econet)
- Youssef Mansour (Egypt) – $1.9 billion (Retail, Mansour Group)
- Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania) – $1.8 billion (Manufacturing, MeTL Group)
- Aziz Akhannouch (Morocco) – $1.7 billion (Petroleum, Afriquia Gaz)
- Yasseen Mansour (Egypt) – $1.7 billion (Consumer goods, Mansour Group)
- Othman Benjelloun (Morocco) – $1.6 billion (Banking & Insurance, BMCE Bank)
- Femi Otedola (Nigeria) – $1.5 billion (Banking, FBN Holdings)
- Michiel Le Roux (South Africa) – $1.4 billion (Banking, Capitec Bank)
- Christoffel Wiese (South Africa) – $1.3 billion (Retail, Pepkor & Shoprite)
South Africa leads the rankings with seven billionaires, followed by Nigeria and Egypt with four each. Other countries represented are Morocco (3), Algeria (1), Tanzania (1), and Zimbabwe (1).
Forbes clarified that the list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who either reside in Africa or have their primary business operations on the continent. This excludes Sudanese-born Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen, and South African Nathan Kirsh, who runs his business from London.
The net worth calculations were based on stock prices and currency exchange rates as of March 7, 2025.
