Forbes just released their annual rich list, featuring the return of Nigeria’s Femi Otedola to the list. Also in Nigeria, Aliko Dangote returned to the top of the list, after briefly losing the number one spot for part of last year to Johann Rupert and family.
Notably, the list excludes lawyer and banker, Adebayo Ogunlesi, whose fortune is estimated at $2.3bn if the BlackRock acquisition of his firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for $12.5bn is concluded.
The biggest gain belongs to Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris, who added $1.6 billion to $8.9 billion.
Here is the full list of African Billionaires:
1. Aliko Dangote
Net worth: $13.9 billion
Net worth in 2023: $13.5 billion
Origin of wealth: Cement and Sugar
Age: 66
Country: Nigeria
2. Johann Rupert and family
Net worth: $10.1 billion
Rank in 2023: 2
Net worth in 2023: $10.7 billion
Origin of wealth: Luxury goods
Age: 73
Country: South Africa
3. Nicky Oppenheimer & family
Net worth: $9.4 billion
Rank in 2023: 3
Net worth in 2023: $8.4 billion
Origin of wealth: Diamonds
Age: 78
Country: South Africa
4. Nassef Sawiris
Net worth: $8.7 billion
Rank in 2023: 5
Net worth in 2023: $7.2 billion
Origin of wealth: Construction and Investments
Age: 63
Country: Egypt
5. Mike Adenuga
Net worth: $6.9 billion
Rank in 2023: 6
Net worth in 2023: $5.6 billion
Origin of wealth: Telecom and Oil
Age: 70
Country: Nigeria
6. Abdulsamad Rabiu
Net worth: $5.9 billion
Rank in 2023: 4
Net worth in 2023: $7.6 billion
Inherited and growing
Origin of wealth: Cement and Sugar
Age: 63
Country: Nigeria
7. Naguib Sawiris
Net worth: $3.8 billion
Rank in 2023: 8
Net worth in 2023: $3.3 billion
Inherited and growing
Origin of wealth: Telecom
Age: 69
Country: Egypt
8. Mohamed Mansour
Net worth: $3.2 billion
Rank in 2023: 10
Net worth in 2023: $2.8 billion
Self-made
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Age: 76
Country: Egypt
9. Koos Bekker
Net worth: $2.7 billion
Rank in 2023: 11
Net worth in 2023: $2.6 billion
Origin of wealth: Media, Investments
Age: 71
Country: South Africa
9. Patrice Motsepe
Net worth: $2.7 billion
Rank in 2023: 9
Net worth in 2023: $3.1 billion
Origin of wealth: Mining
Age: 61
Country: South Africa
11. Issad Rebrab & family
Net worth: $2.5 billion
Rank in 2023: 7
Net worth in 2023: $4.6 billion
Origin of wealth: Food
Age: 80
Country: Algeria
12. Mohammed Dewji
Net worth: $1.8 billion
Rank in 2023: 15
Net worth in 2023: $1.5 billion
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Age: 48
Country: Tanzania
12. Strive Masiyiwa
Net worth: $1.8 billion
Rank in 2023: 12
Net worth in 2023: $1.9 billion
Origin of wealth: Telecom
Age: 62
Country: Zimbabwe
14. Aziz Akhannouch & family
Net worth: $1.7 billion
Rank in 2023: 14
Net worth in 2023: $1.5 billion
Origin of wealth: Petroleum, Diversified
Age: 63
Country: Morocco
15. Othman Benjelloun & family
Net worth: $1.4 billion
Rank in 2023: 16
Net worth in 2023: $1.3 billion
Origin of wealth: Banking, insurance
Age: 91
Country: Morocco
16. Youssef Mansour
Net worth: $1.3 billion
Rank in 2023: 13
Net worth in 2023: $1.5 billion
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Age: 78
Country: Egypt
17. Yasseen Mansour
Net worth: $1.2 billion
Rank in 2023: 19
Net worth in 2023: $1.1 billion
Origin of wealth: Diversified
Age: 62
Country: Egypt
17. Christoffel Wiese
Net worth: $1.2 billion
Rank in 2023: 18
Net worth in 2023: $1.1 billion
Origin of wealth: Retail
Age: 82
Country: South Africa
Residence: Cape Town
19. Michiel Le Roux
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Rank in 2023: 17
Net worth in 2023: $1.2 billion
Origin of wealth: Banking
Age: 74
Country: South Africa
19. Femi Otedola
Net worth: $1.1 billion
Origin of wealth: Gas stations, Utilities
Country: Nigeria