Mozambique Billionaires: Top 10 Richest Men In Mozambique
When people talk about Mozambique, they often focus on its turquoise beaches, rich Portuguese history, or spicy peri-peri chicken. But let’s be honest—no one talks enough about the big ballers in suits who are stacking dollars while sipping coconut water in luxury resorts across Maputo.
Yes, folks! Mozambique may not always be in the global news, but behind the scenes, some business-savvy men are quietly (and not-so-quietly) building empires, running industries, and securing the bag in a way that would make even Elon Musk nod in respect.
So, today we’re lifting the velvet curtain and giving you an exclusive peek into the lives of the Top 10 Richest Men in Mozambique. From agriculture to tech, media to ports, these guys are not playing games. They are proof that Africa is rising, and Mozambique is not left out.
Now, get your cup of tea—or cold malt if you’re like me—and let’s gist about who’s who in Mozambique’s money club.
1. Mhamud Charania – The Wheat King of Mozambique
When you see pasta, noodles, or biscuits in Mozambique, just know that Mhamud Charania might be smiling somewhere.
This man built Merec Industries SA, the country’s largest wheat and maize-based food manufacturer. Merec is not just big—it controls about 36% of the wheat milling market in the entire country. That’s like owning more than one-third of every loaf of bread sold in town!
But Uncle Mhamud didn’t stop at flour and semovita. He also chairs ADC S.A., a giant in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. While some of us were trying to mix garri and groundnut in university, this guy was processing and distributing food to millions of Mozambicans.
If you're thinking of building wealth in Africa, Mhamud’s playbook is simple: feed the people, and they’ll feed your bank account.
2. Momade Bachir Sulemane – The Real Estate Royalty
Ever walked into a fancy shopping mall in Maputo? Chances are, Momade Bachir Sulemane owns it—or at least part of it.
He is the founder of Grupo MBS, and one of his flagship projects is the Maputo Shopping Centre, a luxurious retail haven for both locals and tourists. But it’s not just about malls and buildings. Momade is also a known philanthropist, which means while he’s building properties, he’s also building people.
Imagine the kind of influence you have when you’re developing both skylines and communities. That’s wealth with a conscience.
3. Fernando Amado Couto – The Port Mastermind
When it comes to logistics and cargo, Fernando Amado Couto is the real MVP.
He runs Portos do Norte, the private company managing the Port of Nacala, one of East Africa’s busiest cargo hubs. Do you know what that means? Every time a container filled with goods enters Mozambique, Fernando probably makes money.
And just so you know, he’s not one to put all his eggs in one container (pun intended). He’s also active in agribusiness and forestry. While some are importing, Fernando is making money from both sides of the supply chain. Genius!
4. Salimo Abdula – The Conglomerate Commander
Salimo Abdula is like the Tony Stark of Mozambique’s business world. His company, Intelec Holdings Group, is in almost every industry you can think of—mining, energy, telecoms, agriculture, finance, construction, and even textiles.
If there’s a boardroom meeting in any major industry in Mozambique, don’t be surprised to see Salimo sitting at the head of the table, signing contracts and smiling like he knows what’s coming.
He also has big stakes in Vodacom Mozambique and Banco Único, which means even your mobile data and savings might be under his radar. This man is playing chess while others are still trying to find the pieces.
5. Rogerio Samo Gudo – The Tech Whisperer
Tech bros, assemble! Rogerio Samo Gudo is here to show us that coding and innovation aren’t just for Silicon Valley.
As the co-founder of Escopil Internacionale, Rogerio built systems that power government services like tax filing, vehicle registration, and even voter databases in Mozambique.
You know that sweet feeling you get when you renew your car license online in five minutes instead of standing in a sweaty queue for six hours? That’s Rogerio’s doing.
Escopil’s annual revenue has crossed the $40 million mark. Not bad for someone who probably started with a laptop and a vision.
6. Celso Correia – The Politician Turned Power Broker
From agriculture to governance to business, Celso Correia is the classic example of a man who knows how to make things happen.
Before becoming a business mogul, he served as Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Today, he runs Correia Group, which handles massive operations in agriculture, energy, real estate, and construction.
Celso is living proof that if you mix political insight with business acumen, the result is sweet, sweet profit. It’s like planting a seed in government and harvesting in business.
7. Miguel Afonso Dos Santos – The Telecom Titan
Miguel Afonso Dos Santos is making serious moves in telecoms, energy, and hospitality. He’s deeply invested in Mozambique’s natural gas sector and is positioning himself in tourism and luxury experiences.
Think five-star hotels, beautiful resorts, and smooth mobile service—all under his watch. Miguel understands that when people communicate and travel comfortably, they’ll keep spending, and he’ll keep winning.
He's like that guy in the group project who doesn't talk much, but when the final results come in, he gets an A+.
8. José Zilhão – The Export Emperor
When it comes to exports and heavy industries, José Zilhão is the name you need to remember.
He plays in the fields of natural gas, mining, construction, and retail, with a strong presence in agriculture. José deals in key export crops like cashews and tobacco—and if you think cashews are small, wait till you see how big the market is.
He's not flashy, but he’s certainly powerful. José is the kind of person who shows up in jeans and a cap, but he owns half the factories in town.
9. Ernesto Gove – The Economist Extraordinaire
Before stepping into private business, Ernesto Gove served as the Governor of the Bank of Mozambique. But unlike some who fade away after public service, Ernesto doubled down and diversified into agribusiness, mining, real estate, and tourism.
He’s the guy who understands both macroeconomics and maize farming. With a foot in every major industry, Ernesto is building a business portfolio that screams longevity.
When your CV includes central banking and business empires, you're clearly not here to play.
10. Daniel David – The Media Machine
Last but absolutely not the least, meet Daniel David, the king of Mozambique’s media world.
He founded SOICO Group, the country’s first private media house. It runs STV (TV), SFM (radio), O País (newspaper), and STV Notícias (24-hour news). If you’re getting news in Mozambique that’s not from WhatsApp, it’s probably coming from one of Daniel’s platforms.
He also founded MOZEFO (a socioeconomic forum) and MozTech (a tech conference), helping bridge the gap between business, government, and technology.
Daniel understands one thing very well—control the media, and you shape the narrative. And my people, that’s power in its purest form.
Quick Recap Table – Who’s Who in Mozambique’s Money League
| Rank | Name | Key Sectors |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mhamud Charania | Food manufacturing, FMCG |
| 2 | Momade Bachir Sulemane | Real estate, retail, philanthropy |
| 3 | Fernando Amado Couto | Ports, agribusiness, forestry |
| 4 | Salimo Abdula | Telecoms, energy, mining, finance |
| 5 | Rogerio Samo Gudo | Tech, digital systems |
| 6 | Celso Correia | Agriculture, construction, energy |
| 7 | Miguel Afonso Dos Santos | Telecoms, energy, hospitality |
| 8 | José Zilhão | Mining, agriculture, retail |
| 9 | Ernesto Gove | Real estate, banking, tourism |
| 10 | Daniel David | Media, tech, business forums |
Final Thoughts – Inspiration from the Land of the Limpopo
These men didn’t just wake up one morning and find wealth waiting at their doorstep. They took risks, diversified, built networks, and saw opportunities where others saw obstacles.
Whether you’re a student, a hustling entrepreneur, or someone simply curious about Africa’s economic landscape, there’s one lesson here—Africa is not a pity party; it’s a gold mine of opportunities. And Mozambique, with all its challenges and beauty, is a shining example.
So next time someone tells you there’s no money in Africa, just show them this list.
And who knows? Maybe someday, you’ll be the one topping a list like this for your own country.
Now go forth and prosper!
