The Top 10 Richest Africans According To Forbes In 2024
Africa is home to a diverse array of cultures, languages, and economies, and it has produced some of the world's wealthiest individuals. These billionaires have amassed their fortunes through various industries, including luxury goods, telecommunications, cement, and more. According to Forbes' 2024 list, here are the top 10 richest Africans:
1. Aliko Dangote - $13.4 Billion (Nigeria)
Aliko Dangote, the founder and chairman of Dangote Group, holds the title of the richest man in Africa. His conglomerate operates in industries such as cement, sugar, and flour. Dangote Cement, the largest cement producer in Africa, is the primary source of his wealth. He also has interests in oil and gas, and his refinery project in Lagos is set to be one of the largest in the world once completed.
2. Johann Rupert & Family - $12.2 Billion (South Africa)
Johann Rupert is the chairman of Swiss luxury goods firm Richemont, known for prestigious brands like Cartier and Montblanc. Rupert’s wealth primarily comes from his stakes in the luxury goods industry. He also has investments in diversified sectors such as banking and wine.
3. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family - $9.5 Billion (South Africa)
Nicky Oppenheimer, a descendant of the founders of the De Beers diamond mining company, sold his family's 40% stake in De Beers to Anglo American in 2012 for $5.1 billion in cash. Despite this, he still holds significant wealth and investments in private equity and conservation.
4. Nassef Sawiris - $8.8 Billion (Egypt)
Nassef Sawiris is a scion of Egypt's wealthiest family. His wealth comes from his investments in construction, chemicals, and various companies. He is the CEO of Orascom Construction Industries, one of the largest nitrogen fertilizer producers in the world, and he also has stakes in Adidas and OCI N.V.
5. Nathan Kirsh - $7.2 Billion (Eswatini/Swaziland)
Nathan Kirsh made his fortune in Swaziland through his business conglomerate, which includes Jetro Holdings, a company involved in wholesale food distribution. His investments span across real estate, retail, and more, making him one of the wealthiest individuals from Eswatini.
6. Mike Adenuga - $6.7 Billion (Nigeria)
Mike Adenuga, Nigeria's second richest man, built his fortune in telecommunications and oil. He is the founder of Globacom, Nigeria's second-largest telecom operator, and also owns stakes in Conoil, an oil exploration company. Adenuga's business acumen and strategic investments have solidified his position among Africa's richest.
7. Abdulsamad Rabiu - $5.2 Billion (Nigeria)
Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in cement production, sugar refining, and real estate. His business empire has grown significantly, particularly through strategic mergers and the expansion of BUA Cement Plc.
8. Naguib Sawiris - $3.8 Billion (Egypt)
Naguib Sawiris, another member of the Sawiris family, is known for his ventures in the telecom sector. He founded Orascom Telecom, which he sold to VEON (formerly VimpelCom) in a multibillion-dollar deal. His investments also include media and technology companies.
9. Mohamed Mansour - $3.3 Billion (Egypt)
Mohamed Mansour oversees the Mansour Group, a multinational conglomerate with operations in various sectors such as automotive, capital markets, and consumer goods. The company is a key distributor for General Motors and Caterpillar in Egypt.
10. Koos Bekker - $2.6 Billion (South Africa)
Koos Bekker is renowned for transforming South African newspaper publisher Naspers into a global e-commerce powerhouse, with notable investments in Tencent, the Chinese internet giant. His strategic vision has significantly increased his wealth and the company's global ffootprint
Conclusion
These individuals not only represent wealth but also influence significant sectors of Africa's economy. Their ventures and investments have had profound impacts on their respective industries and the continent at large, driving growth and development across Africa.