Africa’s billionaires have reached an impressive milestone, with their collective fortune now surpassing $100 billion for the first time. A total of 22 individuals have secured spots on Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List, marking a remarkable leap from last year’s total of $82.4 billion. This surge in wealth is particularly striking given the continent’s ongoing economic challenges, ranging from currency fluctuations and political instability to shifting consumer markets. Yet, Africa’s wealthiest have managed to thrive, leveraging strategic investments, tapping into global market trends, and capitalizing on resilient industries.
Leading the pack once again is Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, who has held the title of Africa’s richest man for an astounding 14th consecutive year. He is joined by prominent figures such as South African luxury magnate Johann Rupert and Egyptian construction mogul Nassef Sawiris. While some billionaires made a powerful comeback this year, others faced financial setbacks. Below is the full list, ranked in ascending order of wealth.
Here are the Africans who made Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires list…
#22. Strive Masiyiwa ($1.2 Billion) – Zimbabwe (Telecom)
Strive Masiyiwa, the founder of Econet Wireless, remains Zimbabwe’s wealthiest individual, despite facing a recent financial dip. His fortune was significantly impacted by Zimbabwe’s decision to replace its currency with the gold-backed ZiG, which led to economic instability. Nevertheless, Masiyiwa’s telecommunications empire, which spans multiple African nations, continues to expand, offering mobile services, broadband, and financial solutions. Beyond his business success, Masiyiwa is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting education initiatives across the continent.
#21. Yasseen Mansour ($1.2 Billion) – Egypt (Diversified)
Yasseen Mansour is one of the three billionaire brothers behind Egypt’s Mansour Group, a diversified multinational corporation. His wealth is rooted in the group’s expansive portfolio, which spans consumer goods, automotive distribution, and real estate. As the exclusive distributor of Caterpillar machinery in Egypt and several other African markets, the Mansour Group holds a commanding presence. Additionally, Yasseen has made strategic investments in luxury real estate projects in both Egypt and Europe, further bolstering his financial empire.
#20. Youssef Mansour ($1.4 Billion) – Egypt (Diversified)
The eldest of the Mansour brothers, Youssef Mansour, oversees the group’s retail and distribution sector. A key architect of the company’s expansion, he has spearheaded partnerships with global giants like General Motors and McDonald’s, significantly broadening the group’s footprint. Youssef’s fortune has flourished alongside Egypt’s growing consumer market, with the Mansour Group’s increasing influence solidifying its dominant role in North Africa’s economy.
#19. Christoffel Wiese ($1.5 Billion) – South Africa (Fashion & Retail)
Christoffel Wiese, a retail mogul, has amassed significant wealth through his investments in Shoprite and Pepkor, cementing his position as one of South Africa’s wealthiest individuals. While his fortune took a hit following the collapse of Steinhoff International in 2017, Wiese has made a remarkable recovery. His retail empire remains resilient, continuing to serve millions of consumers across Africa with affordable goods and services.
#18. Femi Otedola ($1.5 Billion) – Nigeria (Energy)
Femi Otedola stands as one of Nigeria’s most influential businessmen, with his fortune largely derived from the energy sector. As the chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Nigeria’s first publicly listed power generation company, Otedola has seen his wealth rise, especially with the recent surge in Geregu’s stock. In addition to his energy investments, he has expanded his portfolio into financial services, real estate, and philanthropy, further solidifying his position as a prominent figure in both business and charitable efforts.
#17. Jannie Mouton & Family ($1.5 Billion) – South Africa (Finance & Investments)
Jannie Mouton, the visionary founder of PSG Group, has reclaimed his spot among Africa’s billionaires, marking a remarkable financial resurgence. His wealth surged following a 59% rise in the stock price of Capitec Bank, one of South Africa’s most successful and innovative banking institutions. Beyond banking, Mouton’s investment firm maintains strategic interests in agribusiness, education, and private equity, reinforcing his influence in South Africa’s evolving financial landscape.
#16. Aziz Akhannouch & Family ($1.5 Billion) – Morocco (Diversified)
Aziz Akhannouch, Morocco’s prime minister and a powerhouse in business, has amassed his fortune through Akwa Group, a dominant player in North Africa’s energy and gas sector. As Morocco continues to expand its energy infrastructure and oil distribution networks, his wealth has steadily grown. Despite his political responsibilities, Akhannouch remains one of the region’s most influential and strategic business leaders.
#15. Anas Sefrioui & Family ($1.6 Billion) – Morocco (Real Estate)
Anas Sefrioui, a real estate mogul, has made a striking comeback to the billionaire ranks this year. His company, Douja Promotion Groupe Addoha, experienced a surge in stock value, more than doubling due to a spike in home sales across Morocco. Sefrioui’s expertise in affordable housing has solidified his status as a driving force in Morocco’s urban development, catering to the country’s growing demand for residential spaces.
#14. Othman Benjelloun & Family ($1.6 Billion) – Morocco (Finance & Investments)
Othman Benjelloun, a powerhouse in Morocco’s financial sector, has built his fortune through BMCE Bank, one of the country’s largest financial institutions. Beyond banking, his wealth extends into insurance, telecommunications, and infrastructure investments across Africa. A visionary leader, Benjelloun has been instrumental in expanding financial services throughout the continent, strengthening Morocco’s position as a key player in African banking.
#13. Michiel Le Roux ($2.2 Billion) – South Africa (Finance & Investments)
Michiel Le Roux, the visionary founder of Capitec Bank, has transformed South Africa’s banking landscape by providing low-cost, accessible financial services to millions. His innovative approach to retail banking has made Capitec one of the country’s most profitable financial institutions. As the bank’s market value continues to climb, so does Le Roux’s fortune, solidifying his place among Africa’s wealthiest individuals.
#12. Mohammed Dewji ($2.2 Billion) – Tanzania (Diversified)
Forty-four-year-old Mohammed Dewji, Africa’s youngest billionaire, leads METL Group, a Tanzanian powerhouse with diverse interests in manufacturing, agriculture, and distribution. Operating in over 11 countries, his business empire continues to drive industrial growth across Tanzania and beyond. Beyond his corporate success, Dewji is also a dedicated philanthropist, channeling substantial funds into education and healthcare initiatives to uplift communities.
#11. Issad Rebrab & Family ($3 Billion) – Algeria (Food & Beverage)
Issad Rebrab, Algeria’s richest man, is the founder of Cevital, the country’s largest privately owned conglomerate. With a strong foothold in food processing, retail, and industrial equipment manufacturing, Cevital has solidified its dominance in the Algerian market. Rebrab’s strategic investments in European food processing companies have further expanded his wealth, reinforcing his position as one of Africa’s most influential business leaders.
#10. Patrice Motsepe ($3 Billion) – South Africa (Metals & Mining)
Patrice Motsepe, the founder of African Rainbow Minerals, has built his fortune through strategic investments in the mining sector, particularly in gold and platinum. Beyond mining, he has expanded his business empire into banking and sports management. As the current president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Motsepe plays a crucial role in shaping the future of African football while continuing to grow his wealth through lucrative ventures.
#9. Mohamed Mansour ($3.4 Billion) – Egypt (Diversified)
Mohamed Mansour, the third of the Mansour brothers, is a key figure in Egypt’s business landscape. He oversees a diverse portfolio spanning construction, retail, and automotive industries. Under his leadership, the Mansour Group has secured exclusive distribution rights for General Motors in multiple African countries, solidifying its dominance in the region’s automotive market.
#8. Koos Bekker ($3.4 billion) – South Africa (Media & Entertainment)
Koos Bekker is celebrated for transforming Naspers into a global e-commerce giant and media powerhouse. His visionary leadership led Naspers to make a game-changing investment in Tencent, the Chinese internet and entertainment behemoth, a move that skyrocketed the company’s—and Bekker’s—wealth. His sharp acumen in media and technology investments continues to cement his status as one of Africa’s most influential billionaires.
#7. Naguib Sawiris ($5 Billion) – Egypt (Telecom)
Naguib Sawiris built his fortune in telecommunications and later expanded into gold mining and media. His strategic investments in global tech startups and luxury real estate have ensured his continued position among Africa’s wealthiest billionaires. Sawiris’ ability to diversify and adapt has solidified his influence in both the African and global business landscapes.
#6. Abdulsamad Rabiu ($5.1 Billion) – Nigeria (Diversified)
Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a leading force in Nigeria’s cement, sugar, and real estate sectors. Through continued expansion in infrastructure and industrial production, BUA Group has played a key role in boosting Rabiu’s fortune. His strategic investments in various industries have positioned him as one of Nigeria’s wealthiest and most influential business figures.
#5. Mike Adenuga ($6.8 billion) – Nigeria (Diversified)
Mike Adenuga is the founder of Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecommunications operator, which has expanded its reach across West Africa. In addition to telecom, Adenuga has substantial investments in the oil sector through his stake in Conoil, as well as extensive real estate holdings. His diverse portfolio of successful ventures has been pivotal in his rise to wealth, cementing his place as one of Nigeria’s most influential business magnates.
#4. Nassef Sawiris ($9.6 billion) – Egypt (Construction & Engineering)
Nassef Sawiris, a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family, has built a vast fortune through strategic investments in industries such as construction, chemicals, and sports. Notably, he holds substantial stakes in OCI N.V., a leading global nitrogen fertilizer producer, as well as in Adidas, which has further bolstered his wealth. Additionally, Sawiris’ diversified portfolio and keen investment strategies have not only strengthened his financial standing but also solidified his position as one of Africa’s wealthiest and most influential figures.
#3. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family ($10.4 billion) – South Africa (Metals & Mining)
Nicky Oppenheimer, heir to the De Beers diamond fortune, is a prominent figure in both the business and conservation worlds. His family’s legacy in the global diamond trade was solidified for decades until 2012, when Oppenheimer sold his family’s 40% stake in De Beers for a staggering $5.1 billion. Beyond his business acumen, Oppenheimer is deeply committed to environmental conservation, with significant efforts in preserving nature through the establishment of nature reserves across Africa. This dual focus on business and environmental stewardship highlights his enduring influence and legacy.
#2. Johann Rupert & Family ($14.0 billion) – South Africa (Fashion & Retail)
Johann Rupert, the chairman of Compagnie Financière Richemont, which is renowned for luxury brands like Cartier and Montblanc, continues to solidify his status as one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals. His fortune has experienced a significant surge, increasing by 39% to reach $14 billion, making it the second-largest gain among African billionaires. Since 2022, Rupert has held his position as the second-richest African, a testament to his enduring influence and leadership in the luxury goods sector.
#1. Aliko Dangote ($23.9 billion) – Nigeria (Manufacturing)
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest billionaire for the 14th consecutive year, has seen his net worth skyrocket to $23.9 billion, up from $13.9 billion in 2024. This remarkable growth can largely be attributed to the successful launch of his oil refinery on the outskirts of Lagos, which began operations in early 2024 and is set to reach full capacity in April 2025. The refinery’s success represents a transformative moment for Nigeria, positioning the country to export refined petroleum products and reduce its dependency on imports. In addition to his accomplishments in oil, Dangote’s diversified conglomerate continues to dominate Africa’s cement, sugar, and flour production industries.
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