Africa is home to some of the world’s wealthiest and most influential billionaires. These individuals have built massive business empires in industries like oil, telecoms, cement, real estate, fashion, technology, and investments. Beyond their personal fortunes, they are shaping Africa’s economy, creating jobs, and influencing global markets.
In 2025, the combined wealth of Africa’s richest billionaires is estimated to be over $90 billion. While most of the billionaires come from Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria, their businesses operate globally.
This article ranks the Top 10 Richest Billionaires in Africa 2025, their net worth, and the businesses that made them successful. It also explains how they built their wealth, their challenges, and their roles in shaping Africa’s economy.
Summary Table – Top 10 Richest Billionaires in Africa 2025
| Rank | Name | Country | Net Worth (2025) | Main Businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aliko Dangote | Nigeria | $14.5 Billion | Dangote Cement, Sugar, Salt, Fertilizer, Oil Refinery |
| 2 | Johann Rupert & Family | South Africa | $12.7 Billion | Luxury Goods (Richemont, Cartier, Montblanc) |
| 3 | Nicky Oppenheimer & Family | South Africa | $9.4 Billion | Diamonds (De Beers), Investments |
| 4 | Nassef Sawiris | Egypt | $8.8 Billion | Construction, Chemicals, Sports Investments |
| 5 | Abdulsamad Rabiu | Nigeria | $8.5 Billion | BUA Group (Cement, Sugar, Real Estate, Oil & Gas) |
| 6 | Mike Adenuga | Nigeria | $6.9 Billion | Telecoms (Glo), Oil (Conoil), Real Estate |
| 7 | Issad Rebrab & Family | Algeria | $4.9 Billion | Cevital Group (Food, Steel, Electronics, Retail) |
| 8 | Mohamed Mansour | Egypt | $3.7 Billion | Mansour Group (Automotive, Retail, Energy, Telecoms) |
| 9 | Koos Bekker | South Africa | $3.1 Billion | Media & Technology (Naspers, Tencent Stake) |
| 10 | Patrice Motsepe | South Africa | $2.9 Billion | Mining (African Rainbow Minerals), Finance, Sports |
1. Aliko Dangote – Net Worth $14.5 Billion
Overview
Aliko Dangote is the richest man in Africa in 2025, with a net worth of $14.5 billion. He has held this position for over a decade, thanks to his business empire across multiple sectors.
Businesses
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Dangote Cement: Largest cement producer in Africa, with operations in more than 10 countries.
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Dangote Sugar & Salt: Controls a huge share of Nigeria’s food processing market.
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Dangote Fertilizer Plant: One of the largest in Africa, boosting agriculture.
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Dangote Refinery: A multi-billion-dollar oil refinery in Lagos expected to transform Africa’s energy sector.
Influence
Dangote is not just a businessman; he is also a philanthropist supporting education, health, and poverty alleviation. His investments are critical to Africa’s industrialization.
2. Johann Rupert & Family – Net Worth $12.7 Billion
Overview
Johann Rupert is the richest man in South Africa and the second-richest in Africa, with an estimated net worth of $12.7 billion.
Businesses
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Richemont Group: Owns luxury brands like Cartier, Montblanc, and Chloé.
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Banking & Investments: Stakes in South African financial institutions.
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Wine & Agriculture: Investments in South African vineyards.
Influence
Rupert dominates Africa’s luxury goods industry and has expanded Richemont into Europe, the US, and Asia.
3. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family – Net Worth $9.4 Billion
Overview
Nicky Oppenheimer, heir to the De Beers diamond fortune, is worth $9.4 billion in 2025.
Businesses
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De Beers: Former chairman of the world’s biggest diamond company.
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Investments: Oppenheimer family invests heavily in private equity, aviation, and agriculture.
Influence
Oppenheimer is known for philanthropy in wildlife conservation and education in South Africa.
4. Nassef Sawiris – Net Worth $8.8 Billion
Overview
Nassef Sawiris is Egypt’s richest man, with a fortune of $8.8 billion.
Businesses
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OCI N.V.: A global leader in construction and fertilizers.
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Adidas Stake: Owns a significant share in Adidas.
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Sports Investments: Co-owner of Aston Villa Football Club in the UK.
Influence
Sawiris is one of Africa’s most global billionaires, with businesses spanning Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
5. Abdulsamad Rabiu – Net Worth $8.5 Billion
Overview
Abdulsamad Rabiu is Nigeria’s second-richest billionaire, with a net worth of $8.5 billion.
Businesses
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BUA Cement: A major competitor to Dangote Cement.
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Sugar & Flour Mills: Large food production capacity.
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Oil & Gas: Expanding into refining and energy.
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Real Estate: High-value properties in Nigeria.
Influence
Rabiu has become one of Africa’s fastest-rising billionaires, competing directly with Dangote in cement and refining.
6. Mike Adenuga – Net Worth $6.9 Billion
Overview
Mike Adenuga is the founder of Globacom (Glo) and one of Nigeria’s wealthiest men, with a net worth of $6.9 billion.
Businesses
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Telecoms (Globacom): Nigeria’s second-largest mobile network with millions of subscribers.
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Oil & Gas (Conoil): Major player in oil exploration.
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Real Estate: Properties in Lagos, London, and the US.
Influence
Adenuga is a private billionaire, known for avoiding publicity while building a massive telecom and oil empire.
7. Issad Rebrab & Family – Net Worth $4.9 Billion
Overview
Issad Rebrab, Algeria’s richest man, is worth $4.9 billion.
Businesses
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Cevital Group: The largest privately-held company in Algeria, with interests in food processing, steel, retail, and electronics.
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International Expansion: Investments in France, Brazil, and Africa.
Influence
Rebrab’s Cevital Group employs thousands, making him a key industrialist in North Africa.
8. Mohamed Mansour – Net Worth $3.7 Billion
Overview
Mohamed Mansour is one of Egypt’s wealthiest billionaires, worth $3.7 billion.
Businesses
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Mansour Group: A conglomerate with businesses in automotive (General Motors distribution), retail (Carrefour Egypt), telecoms, and energy.
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Financial Services & Investments: Expanding into fintech and global investments.
Influence
Mansour served as Egypt’s former minister of transport and remains an influential businessman with global reach.
9. Koos Bekker – Net Worth $3.1 Billion
Overview
Koos Bekker, the media mogul from South Africa, is worth $3.1 billion in 2025.
Businesses
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Naspers: Africa’s largest media company.
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Tencent Stake: Bekker transformed Naspers with its early investment in Chinese tech giant Tencent.
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Media & Tech: Expanded into online retail, fintech, and e-commerce.
Influence
Bekker is one of the most influential tech investors in Africa, bridging Africa and Asia’s digital economies.
10. Patrice Motsepe – Net Worth $2.9 Billion
Overview
Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s first black billionaire, is worth $2.9 billion.
Businesses
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African Rainbow Minerals (ARM): A mining company dealing in gold, platinum, and coal.
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Finance: Founder of African Rainbow Capital, investing in insurance and banking.
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Sports: Owner of Mamelodi Sundowns football club.
Influence
Motsepe is also the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), making him highly influential in both sports and business.
How African Billionaires Build Their Wealth
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Natural Resources: Oil, gas, gold, diamonds, and other minerals remain key wealth sources.
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Industries & Manufacturing: Cement, steel, and fertilizers drive growth.
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Telecoms & Technology: Fast-growing mobile and internet markets.
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Real Estate & Investments: Properties across Africa, Europe, and America.
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Global Business Expansion: African billionaires increasingly invest abroad.
FAQs About the Richest Billionaires in Africa
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Who is the richest billionaire in Africa 2025?
Aliko Dangote with $14.5 billion. -
Which country has the most billionaires in Africa?
Nigeria and South Africa lead the list. -
Which industries make the most billionaires in Africa?
Cement, oil, telecoms, mining, and luxury goods. -
Who is the richest woman billionaire in Africa?
Isabel dos Santos of Angola (though currently facing legal issues). -
Are African billionaires self-made?
Many, like Dangote and Adenuga, are self-made, while others inherited wealth (e.g., Oppenheimer). -
Which African billionaire owns a football club?
Nassef Sawiris (Aston Villa) and Patrice Motsepe (Mamelodi Sundowns). -
Which billionaire dominates telecoms in Africa?
Mike Adenuga through Globacom. -
Who is the richest billionaire in Egypt?
Nassef Sawiris with $8.8 billion. -
Do African billionaires invest outside Africa?
Yes, many have businesses in Europe, the Middle East, and the US. -
Will Africa see more billionaires in the future?
Yes, with growing tech startups, oil projects, and industrialization.
Conclusion
The Top 10 Richest Billionaires in Africa 2025 showcase the diversity of wealth creation on the continent. From Dangote’s cement empire to Rupert’s luxury goods, Oppenheimer’s diamonds, Sawiris’s global investments, and Motsepe’s mining ventures, Africa’s billionaires are shaping industries and influencing economies worldwide.
Their success highlights Africa’s growing role in the global economy and the opportunities that still exist for entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation.