Top 10 Richest People In Africa 2025

List Of Top 10 Richest People In Africa 2025:

Africa, a continent rich in economic potential and diversity, is home to an increasing number of billionaires whose wealth is influencing economies, communities, and industries worldwide. Due to their inventiveness, wise investments, and fortitude in the face of economic adversity, Africa's 22 billionaires amassed an astounding $100 billion in fortune by 2025. According to Forbes and other reliable sources, this article explores the lives, ventures, and legacies of the top 10 wealthiest people in Africa for 2025. These people, who range from luxury goods tycoons to manufacturing moguls, are the epitome of African enterprise.

1. Aliko Dangote – $23.9 Billion (Nigeria):

Industry: Manufacturing (Cement, Sugar, Oil, Fertilizer)

Age: 67

Residence: Lagos, Nigeria 

With a net worth of $23.9 billion in 2025—a substantial increase from $13.9 billion in 2024—Aliko Dangote continues to be the richest person in Africa for the fourteenth year in a row. The Nigerian businessman's wealth is based on his 85% ownership of Dangote Cement, the biggest cement manufacturer on the continent, which operates in ten African nations and has a 48.6 million metric tonne yearly production capacity. The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery outside Lagos, which started operations in 2024 and achieved full capacity in 2025, is the gem in the crown of his company, the Dangote Group, which also produces fertiliser, sugar, and salt. Nigeria can now potentially export refined petroleum products thanks to its 650,000 barrels per day refining capacity, which lessens the country's dependency on imported fuel.
As a child, Dangote started his business career by buying and selling candy, a skill he acquired from his grandfather, a prosperous rice and oat dealer. He is regarded as one of the top 100 richest individuals in the world because of his vision for African self-sufficiency, especially in the areas of agriculture and oil. Dangote's tale is one of perseverance; he managed Nigeria's intricate regulatory framework to create a conglomerate that supports economic growth and employs thousands of people. His legacy as a revolutionary figure in Africa is further cemented by his charity, which includes donations to health and education.

2. Johann Rupert – $14 Billion (South Africa):

Industry: Fashion & Retail (Luxury Goods)

Age: 74

Residence: Cape Town, South Africa 

South African luxury goods magnate Johann Rupert takes the second rank with a net worth of $14 billion, up 39% from $10.1 billion in 2024. Rupert manages a portfolio of renowned brands like Cartier and Montblanc in his capacity as chairman of Compagnie Financière Richemont. Rupert has become a global leader in the luxury market because to Richemont, which was formed in the 1940s from assets owned by his father Anton's Rembrandt Group. Beyond luxury items, he has substantial property holdings in South Africa's Karoo region, where he has been a vociferous opponent of fracking, and a 7% ownership in Remgro and a 27% share in Reinet, both Luxembourg-based investment enterprises.
Notwithstanding changes in the economy, Rupert's wealth has increased due to his strategic vision and ability to leverage worldwide brand value. His remorse for not spending $175 million to buy half of Gucci demonstrates his astute sense of potential investments. With an emphasis on sustainable investments and a modest lifestyle in contrast to the luxury of his businesses, Rupert's influence goes beyond business. His fortune was further enhanced by South Africa's robust equity markets in 2025, highlighting the nation's economic influence.

3. Nicky Oppenheimer  – $10.4 Billion (South Africa):

Industry: Metals & Mining (Diamonds, Aviation, Conservation)

Age: 79

Residence: Johannesburg, South Africa  The De Beers diamond fortune's heir, Nicky Oppenheimer, comes in third place with a net worth of $10.4 billion, up 9.5% from $9.5 billion in 2024. Before Nicky sold their 40% stake to Anglo American for $5.1 billion in 2012, the Oppenheimer family controlled the world diamond trade through De Beers for 85 years. Since then, he has expanded into two areas: conservation, holding more than 720 square miles of conservation land in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique; and aviation, establishing Fireblade Aviation in Johannesburg in 2014.
Oppenheimer's capacity to adapt is demonstrated by his shift from diamonds to sustainable endeavours like private equity and conservation. He is respected as a steward of Africa's natural resources because of his charity, especially in the area of environmental conservation. He is a major player in South Africa's economy, and his wealth is increasing thanks to wise investments in technology and agriculture.

4. Nassef Sawiris – $9.6 Billion (Egypt):

Industry: Construction & Engineering (Construction, Investments)

Age: 64

Residence: Cairo, Egypt  

With a net worth of $9.6 billion, Nassef Sawiris is the richest man in Egypt. He is primarily responsible for the success of Orascom Construction, a significant engineering firm, and OCI, one of the biggest producers of nitrogen fertiliser worldwide. Sawiris, a member of the wealthiest family in Egypt, also owns a 5% share in Madison Square Garden Sports, which is home to the NHL's Rangers and the NBA's New York Knicks, as well as a 6% holding in Adidas. His business is further diversified with his ownership of Aston Villa, a Premier League team.
In 2025, Sawiris' fortune increased as a result of growing Adidas shares and OCI dividends, which reflected Egypt's building boom and international investment potential. Sawiris leads a low-key lifestyle despite his enormous wealth, concentrating on strategic forays into real estate and agricultural. He is one of the most significant investors in Africa due to his global network and economic ability.

5. Nathan Kirsh – $7.2 Billion (Eswatini):

Industry: Retail (Cash-and-Carry, Real Estate)

Residence: London, United Kingdom 

Fifth place goes to Eswatini businessman Nathan "Natie" Kirsh, whose net worth is $7.2 billion. His controlling ownership of Jetro Holdings, a cash-and-carry business with locations in the United States that include Jetro Cash and Carry and Restaurant Depot, is the main source of his fortune. In 1976, Kirsh established Jetro, which he later grew through acquisitions, including Restaurant Depot in 1994. Although his use of tax havens for company registrations has generated some controversy, his commercial endeavours also encompass real estate and other interests.
The difficulty of tracking African riches is shown by Kirsh's absence from Forbes' list of African billionaires because he lives in London. Nonetheless, his position as one of the richest people on the continent is guaranteed by his Eswatini heritage and substantial corporate influence throughout Africa. His expertise on scalable retail operations and strategic acquisitions provide insights into creating multinational businesses from African roots.

6. Mike Adenuga – $6.8 Billion (Nigeria):

Industry: Telecom, Oil

Age: 71

Residence: Lagos, Nigeria 

With a net worth of $6.8 billion, Mike Adenuga, the second-richest individual in Nigeria, comes in sixth. The self-made billionaire established Conoil Producing, an oil exploration firm that runs six oil blocks in the Niger Delta, and Globacom, Nigeria's second-largest mobile network with more over 60 million users. In addition, Adenuga owns shares in Conoil Plc and Sterling Financial Holding, which demonstrate his diverse holdings in banking, oil, and telecommunications.
Before obtaining an MBA at Pace University in New York while working as a cab driver, Adenuga started her business career at the age of 26 by selling lace and distributing soft beverages. His ascent from impoverished origins to a telecom and oil tycoon highlights his fortitude and foresight. Globacom is essential to connection and economic growth, and Adenuga has a significant impact on Nigeria's business environment.

7. Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.1 Billion (Nigeria):

Industry: Diversified (Cement, Sugar, Real Estate)

Age: 64

Residence: Lagos, Nigeria 

The founder of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, comes in seventh place with a net worth of $5.1 billion. The Nigerian conglomerate BUA Group is the dominant producer of food through BUA Foods, in which Rabiu owns a 95% share, and cement through BUA Cement Plc, in which he controls 98.2%. He is a major force in Nigeria's industrial landscape thanks to his endeavours in infrastructure, real estate, and sugar refining.
The son of a businessman, Rabiu began importing chemicals, iron, and steel in 1988 before branching out into cement and farming. In 2020, he merged Obu Cement with Northern Nigerian Cement Co. to form BUA Cement, which is currently Dangote Cement's main opponent. Rabiu's dedication to societal influence is demonstrated by his charity through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative, which promotes social development, health, and education throughout Africa.

8. Mohamed Mansour – $3.4 Billion (Egypt):

Industry: Diversified (Automotive, Real Estate, Retail)

Age: 76

Residence: Cairo, Egypt  

Mohamed Mansour's $3.4 billion net wealth puts him in ninth place. His wealth comes from the Mansour Group, a conglomerate that employs 60,000 people and distributes GM automobiles and Caterpillar machinery throughout Africa and beyond. He is a member of the affluent Mansour family from Egypt. In addition, Mansour has assets in private equity, agribusiness, and real estate. His brothers, Youssef and Yasseen, are both billionaires.
From 2006 to 2009, Mansour was Egypt's Minister of Transport. In 2023, he made news by giving the UK Conservative Party £5 million. His sensible diversification strategy, which distributes risk among industries, has guaranteed consistent wealth development. Mansour is a consistent force in Africa's economy because of his modest lifestyle and dedication to growing his family's retail business.

9. Naguib Sawiris – $5 Billion (Egypt):

Industry: Telecom, Media, Real Estate

Age: 70

Residence: Cairo, Egypt  

With a $5 billion net worth, brother of Nassef Sawiris Naguib Sawiris comes in ninth. Naguib, a member of the richest family in Egypt, amassed his fortunes by selling Orascom Telecom to VimpelCom of Russia in 2011 for billions of dollars. He currently serves as the chairman of Orascom TMT Investments, which has holdings in real estate, including the Silversands resort in Grenada, and media, including Euronews. His 2015 plan to purchase an island in Greece or Italy for Syrian migrants demonstrated his audacity and compassion.
Naguib, who is well-known for leading a flashy lifestyle, contrasts with his brother's quiet manner but has the same keen business sense. His forays into Egyptian politics and the media highlight his diverse impact. Sawiris' flexibility in a changing global market is demonstrated by his ability to go from telecom to a variety of enterprises.

10. Koos Bekker – $3.4 Billion (South Africa):

Industry: Media & Entertainment (Media, Technology)

Age: 71

Residence: Cape Town, South Africa

With a net worth of $3.4 billion, Koos Bekker is tied for seventh place. From a newspaper publisher, the South African media tycoon turned Naspers into a major player in technology and e-commerce worldwide. His $34 million investment in Tencent Holdings in 2001 is regarded as one of the best venture investments ever made. Today, the company is valued at billions of dollars through Naspers' subsidiary Prosus. Naspers is still a major force in African media and is the owner of Takealot, the biggest online retailer in South Africa.
Bekker's concentration on innovation and early investments in scalable platforms are reflected in his humble lifestyle, which stands in stark contrast to the digital empire he established. His continued impact is demonstrated by his 2015 return to Naspers as chairman following his retirement as CEO. Bekker's success demonstrates the IT industry's potential in Africa as well as the value of strategic forethought in generating riches.