Africa’s billionaire class has reached new heights in 2026, with the continent’s wealthiest individuals collectively controlling fortunes that reflect both enduring industrial power and shifting global markets.
According to the latest data from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index updated as of mid-January 2026, the top 10 African billionaires boast a combined net worth exceeding $130 billion — a figure driven largely by surges in commodity prices, luxury goods demand, and infrastructure investments.
This wealth remains heavily concentrated in three countries: Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt, which together account for all but one of the top spots. Industries such as cement production, luxury retail, mining, and telecommunications dominate, underscoring Africa’s reliance on resource extraction and consumer markets. Yet these fortunes also highlight stark inequalities on a continent where hundreds of millions live in poverty.
Aliko Dangote of Nigeria retains his longstanding position as Africa’s richest person, with a net worth that has soared past $30 billion amid the operational ramp-up of his massive oil refinery. South African tycoon Johann Rupert follows, benefiting from a rebound in luxury spending. Meanwhile, Egyptian brothers Nassef and Naguib Sawiris illustrate the enduring influence of family dynasties in construction and telecoms.
The year 2026 opens with optimism for these moguls, as global demand for African commodities and consumer goods fuels gains. However, challenges loom: currency volatility, political instability, and calls for greater wealth redistribution could reshape their empires. Here is a detailed look at Africa’s 10 richest people, ranked by net worth.
10. Mohamed Mansour (Egypt) — $3.4 billion
Mohamed Mansour, the patriarch of one of Egypt’s most prominent business families, oversees the Mansour Group, a conglomerate spanning automotive distribution, consumer goods, and logistics. Founded by his father in the mid-20th century, the group holds exclusive dealerships for General Motors and Caterpillar in Egypt, contributing to its resilient revenue streams.
Mansour’s $3.4 billion fortune, as tracked by real-time billionaire indices, places him among Egypt’s elite wealth holders. His diversified investments extend to tobacco, retail, and supermarkets, providing buffers against Egypt’s economic turbulence, including inflation and currency devaluation.
In recent years, Mansour has expanded internationally, with stakes in global brands. Philanthropically, the family supports education and health initiatives in Egypt. At 77, Mansour represents an older generation of African billionaires whose wealth stems from post-colonial trade networks rather than tech disruption.
9. Patrice Motsepe (South Africa) — $3.9 billion (estimated)
South Africa’s mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, founder of African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), has seen his fortune fluctuate with commodity cycles but enters 2026 with renewed momentum. Estimates place his net worth around $3.9 billion, bolstered by rising prices for platinum, iron ore, and coal — key outputs of ARM’s operations.
Motsepe, the brother-in-law of President Cyril Ramaphosa, made history as South Africa’s first Black billionaire in the early 2000s through empowerment deals in mining. Beyond ARM, his African Rainbow Capital invests in financial services and technology, diversifying away from pure resources.
A prominent philanthropist via the Motsepe Foundation, he has pledged significant funds to education, sports, and poverty alleviation. Motsepe’s ownership of Mamelodi Sundowns football club adds a cultural dimension to his influence. In a post-apartheid context, his success symbolizes Black economic empowerment, though critics question the pace of broader transformation.
8. Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) — $6.4 billion
Reclusive telecoms and oil tycoon Mike Adenuga ranks as Nigeria’s second-richest individual. His fortune, pegged at $6.4 billion, derives primarily from Globacom, Nigeria’s third-largest mobile operator, and Conoil, an oil exploration firm.
Adenuga built Globacom from scratch in the early 2000s, challenging foreign-dominated networks with aggressive pricing and indigenous branding — earning him the nickname “The Guru.” The company’s expansion into Ghana and Benin has solidified its regional footprint.
Oil stakes through Conoil Producing add volatility but high upside, especially as Nigeria’s energy sector navigates reforms. Adenuga, known for his low profile, supports arts and sports quietly. His wealth underscores Nigeria’s telecom boom, which has connected millions but also highlighted digital divides.
7. Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) — $9.54 billion
The youngest Sawiris brother, Nassef, commands a $9.54 billion empire centered on construction and chemicals. As CEO of OCI N.V., one of the world’s largest nitrogen fertilizer producers, he has navigated global supply chains adeptly.
Notable investments include a significant stake in Adidas and co-ownership of Aston Villa Football Club, blending industrial roots with consumer and sports ventures. Orascom Construction, another family pillar, executes mega-projects across the Middle East and Africa.
Nassef’s fortune has proven resilient amid Egypt’s economic woes, thanks to international diversification. Philanthropy through the Sawiris Foundation focuses on youth employment and education. His global outlook positions him as a bridge between African capital and Western markets.
6. Natie Kirsh (Eswatini/South Africa) — $9.96 billion
Natie Kirsh, a self-made retail and property billionaire based in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) with South African ties, built his $9.96 billion fortune from humble beginnings. Starting with a corn mill in apartheid-era South Africa, he expanded into wholesale food distribution via Jetro Cash and Carry in the United States.
Kirsh’s Abacus Property and other real estate holdings span London and Australia, providing steady income. His low-key approach contrasts with flashier peers, focusing on cash-and-carry models serving small businesses.
At over 90 years old, Kirsh represents enduring entrepreneurial grit. His wealth highlights diaspora-like success, with much of it generated outside Africa yet linked to continental origins.
5. Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria) — $10.4 billion
Abdulsamad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, has emerged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising billionaires, with $10.4 billion tied to cement, sugar, and real estate. BUA Cement’s listing on the Nigerian Exchange has driven recent gains, positioning it as a rival to Dangote’s dominance.
Starting in commodities trading, Rabiu expanded into manufacturing, capitalizing on Nigeria’s infrastructure needs. BUA’s port and refinery projects signal further ambition.
Philanthropy through the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative funds education and health across Africa. Rabiu’s rise illustrates Nigeria’s industrial potential amid population growth, though competition with Dangote has sparked public spats over market share.
4. Naguib Sawiris (Egypt) — $10.8 billion
Elder Sawiris brother Naguib, with $10.8 billion, pioneered Africa’s telecom revolution through Orascom Telecom, which built networks in emerging markets from Algeria to Pakistan.
After selling Orascom to VimpelCom (now VEON), he retained media and gold mining stakes, including Endeavour Mining. Recent ventures include investments in European telecoms.
Naguib’s outspoken nature — often commenting on Egyptian politics — sets him apart. Family foundations support cultural preservation. His wealth reflects the 2000s mobile boom that transformed African connectivity.
3. Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa) — $14.0 billion
Nicky Oppenheimer, heir to the De Beers diamond dynasty, sold the family stake to Anglo American in 2012 for $5.1 billion, transitioning to private investments. His $14.0 billion fortune stems from diversified holdings in conservation, aviation, and finance.
Oppenheimer’s Tswalu Kalahari Reserve exemplifies his shift toward eco-tourism and wildlife protection. The Brenthurst Foundation promotes African economic policy dialogue.
As a third-generation billionaire, Oppenheimer embodies legacy wealth in mining, now redirected toward sustainable development — a model for resource-rich nations grappling with environmental concerns.
2. Johann Rupert (South Africa) — $19.6 billion
Johann Rupert, chairman of Richemont (owner of Cartier, Montblanc), has seen his $19.6 billion net worth approach $20 billion amid post-pandemic luxury demand. Compagnie Financière Rupert consolidates family assets.
Starting in banking, Rupert built Remgro and Richemont into global powerhouses. Recent divestments from tobacco reflect ethical shifts.
A vocal critic of inequality, Rupert supports South African arts and rugby. His fortune highlights Africa’s integration into global consumer chains, vulnerable to economic slowdowns in China and Europe.
1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria) — $30.4 billion
Aliko Dangote remains unchallenged as Africa’s richest person, with $30.4 billion fueled by the Dangote Refinery — Africa’s largest, now operational and reducing Nigeria’s fuel imports.
Dangote Group’s dominance in cement spans sub-Saharan Africa, supplemented by fertilizer and petrochemicals. The refinery’s 650,000-barrel capacity promises transformative impact on Nigeria’s economy.
Dangote, a trader’s grandson, advocates pan-African trade via the AfCFTA. The Dangote Foundation has invested billions in health and education, notably during Covid-19.
His milestone of exceeding $30 billion marks a first for a Black African billionaire, symbolizing industrial self-reliance amid commodity dependence.
Africa’s billionaire landscape in 2026 reveals resilience and concentration. Total wealth has grown, driven by stock market recoveries and project completions like Dangote’s refinery. Yet only a handful exceed $10 billion, and women remain absent from the top ranks.
These fortunes fund philanthropy — from Motsepe’s foundations to Sawiris’ initiatives — but critics argue more is needed to address inequality. As Africa eyes demographic dividends and green transitions, emerging sectors like tech and renewables may produce the next generation of billionaires.
For now, industrial titans like Dangote and luxury barons like Rupert define the pinnacle of African wealth, their stories intertwined with the continent’s aspirations and challenges.
