Africa continues to show immense economic potential, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Forbes list of the continent’s billionaires. In 2025, the combined net worth of Africa’s richest individuals reached a staggering $105 billion, up from $82.4 billion the previous year. This surge reflects the continent's resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Forbes’ annual ranking includes business tycoons from Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, and Tanzania. These billionaires have built empires in industries like telecommunications, mining, luxury goods, and manufacturing, significantly influencing not just Africa’s economy, but global markets as well.
Let’s take a deep dive into the top 10 richest men in Africa in 2025 and learn how they built their fortunes.
1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria) – $23.8 Billion
Aliko Dangote retains his crown as Africa’s wealthiest man, a title he has held for over a decade. Dangote is the founder and chairman of Dangote Group, which operates in sectors such as cement, sugar, and flour production.
In recent years, Dangote's most ambitious project—Africa’s largest oil refinery, the $23 billion Dangote Refinery in Lagos—began operations. This state-of-the-art facility is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on fuel imports and generate billions in annual revenue.
Industries: Cement, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing
Key Company: Dangote Group
Country: Nigeria
2. Johann Rupert & Family (South Africa) – $10.7 Billion
South Africa’s richest man, Johann Rupert, is the chairman of Compagnie Financière Richemont, the parent company of luxury brands like Cartier, Montblanc, and Piaget. His wealth surged in 2025 due to the rising global demand for luxury goods.
He also holds investments in Remgro and Reinet, which span across banking, healthcare, and industrial sectors.
Industries: Luxury Goods, Investment
Key Company: Richemont
Country: South Africa
3. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family (South Africa) – $8.4 Billion
Nicky Oppenheimer, former chairman of De Beers, continues to hold a strong position among Africa’s elite. Although he sold his stake in De Beers to Anglo American for $5.1 billion in 2012, he now runs a successful private equity firm called Stockdale Street.
Through Tana Africa Capital, he invests in food, education, and consumer sectors across Africa.
Industries: Diamonds, Private Equity
Key Companies: De Beers (former), Stockdale Street
Country: South Africa
4. Abdul Samad Rabiu (Nigeria) – $7.6 Billion
Abdul Samad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a major Nigerian conglomerate involved in cement production, sugar refining, and real estate. His businesses have expanded rapidly, particularly in the infrastructure and construction industries.
In 2025, BUA Cement became the second-largest cement producer in Nigeria, challenging even Dangote Cement in market share.
Industries: Cement, Sugar, Real Estate
Key Company: BUA Group
Country: Nigeria
5. Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) – $7.1 Billion
Known as Nigeria’s telecom giant, Mike Adenuga is the founder of Globacom, the second-largest mobile network in Nigeria. He also has substantial interests in the oil sector through Conoil Producing, one of Nigeria’s indigenous oil exploration companies.
Adenuga’s business empire spans across telecommunications, oil, and real estate.
Industries: Telecommunications, Oil, Real Estate
Key Companies: Globacom, Conoil
Country: Nigeria
6. Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) – $6.8 Billion
Nassef Sawiris, Egypt’s richest man, is the CEO of OCI N.V., a global producer of fertilizers and chemicals. He also owns a significant stake in Adidas and holds board positions at top global institutions.
Sawiris has also invested in sports, co-owning Aston Villa FC in the English Premier League.
Industries: Fertilizers, Sports, Investments
Key Companies: OCI N.V., Adidas
Country: Egypt
7. Issad Rebrab & Family (Algeria) – $4.6 Billion
Issad Rebrab is Algeria’s only billionaire and the founder of Cevital, the country’s largest private company. Cevital operates in food processing, retail, and manufacturing, including a major sugar refinery and electronics production.
Rebrab has consistently reinvested his earnings into Algeria’s industrial growth, helping reduce dependence on imports.
Industries: Food Processing, Electronics
Key Company: Cevital
Country: Algeria
8. Naguib Sawiris (Egypt) – $3.3 Billion
Brother to Nassef, Naguib Sawiris is a telecommunications tycoon with widespread investments in media and technology. He previously founded Orascom Telecom, which was sold to VimpelCom (now Veon) for billions.
Today, he focuses on Orascom Investment Holding and is an outspoken political and economic voice in Egypt.
Industries: Telecommunications, Media, Investment
Key Companies: Orascom Investment
Country: Egypt
9. Patrice Motsepe (South Africa) – $3.1 Billion
Patrice Motsepe made history as South Africa’s first black billionaire. He is the founder of African Rainbow Minerals, which has interests in gold, platinum, and ferrous metals.
Motsepe also serves as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), reflecting his influence beyond business.
Industries: Mining, Sports
Key Company: African Rainbow Minerals
Country: South Africa
10. Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania) – $1.5 Billion
Mohammed Dewji, CEO of MeTL Group, is Africa’s youngest billionaire. MeTL operates in over 35 industries across Tanzania and other African nations, including agriculture, textile manufacturing, and trading.
Known for his philanthropy, Dewji has pledged to give away at least half of his wealth to charitable causes.
Industries: Trading, Manufacturing, Agriculture
Key Company: MeTL Group
Country: Tanzania
Africa’s Billionaires: A Symbol of Economic Transformation
These billionaires not only represent personal success but also a broader story of African resilience and entrepreneurship. Their investments generate thousands of jobs and contribute to the continent’s GDP growth. While Nigeria leads with three of the top five billionaires, countries like Egypt and South Africa continue to dominate the broader list.
FAQs About Africa’s Richest Men (2025)
1. Who is the richest man in Africa in 2025?
Aliko Dangote remains the richest man in Africa in 2025 with a net worth of $23.8 billion.
2. How many billionaires are there in Africa in 2025?
There are 22 billionaires in Africa according to Forbes' 2025 list.
3. What is the main source of wealth for Africa’s richest people?
Common sources include cement production, oil and gas, telecommunications, mining, luxury goods, and agriculture.
4. Which country has the most billionaires in Africa?
Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt have the highest number of billionaires.
5. Who is the youngest billionaire in Africa?
Mohammed Dewji of Tanzania is currently the youngest billionaire on the continent.
Conclusion
Africa’s billionaires in 2025 are a testament to the continent’s growing global influence. With diversified portfolios in infrastructure, technology, luxury goods, and natural resources, these titans are not only accumulating wealth but also shaping Africa’s economic destiny.
Their continued investment in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and energy demonstrates a long-term commitment to sustainable development and economic transformation.
As Africa positions itself as a global economic force, the success stories of these billionaires will inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs ready to innovate and lead the continent into a prosperous future.
