Dangote retains position as Africa’s richest man (FULL LIST)

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has once again retained his position at the top of Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires List, boasting a net worth of $24.4 billion.

The Dangote Group chairman ranks 88th globally, far ahead of his Nigerian peers.

According to the latest Forbes ranking released over the weekend, Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group holds a net worth of $7.2 billion, placing him 516th worldwide, while Globacom founder Mike Adenuga follows closely with $6.3 billion, ranked 592nd.

Dangote, who first appeared on the Forbes list in 2008 and reclaimed the top African spot in 2011, has now maintained the title of Africa’s richest man for 14 consecutive years.

His vast fortune is anchored in cement and sugar, with the 2023 commissioning of his multibillion-dollar petroleum refinery further cementing his industrial dominance.

Nigeria is not alone in the billionaire rankings. South Africa’s Johann Rupert leads his country’s wealthy with $13.2 billion, followed by Nicky Oppenheimer ($10.4billion), Koos Bekker ($3.8billion), Patrice Motsepe ($3.4billion), Michiel le Roux ($2.7billion), Jannie Mouton and family ($1.9billion), and Christoffel Wiese ($1.7billion).

Egypt also boasts a strong showing, led by Nassef Sawiris ($8.8billion) and Naguib Sawiris ($5.0billion). The Mansour brothers — Mohamed ($3.4billion), Youssef ($1.4billion), and Yasseen ($1.2billion) — also feature prominently.

Beyond the continent’s three wealth powerhouses, other notable billionaires include Nathan Kirsh of Eswatini ($8.0billion), Morocco’s Othman Benjelloun & family ($2.0billion), Aziz Akhannouch ($1.6billion), and Anas Sefrioui & family ($1.6billion).

Tanzania’s Mohammed Dewji stands at $2.2billion, while Zimbabwe’s telecoms magnate Strive Masiyiwa is valued at $1.3billion.

The latest Forbes rankings underscore Africa’s expanding billionaire class, even as Dangote continues to tower over the continent’s wealth landscape.