Africa’s Billionaires List 2023: Industries and Networth

Africa is a continent that is experiencing rapid economic growth, and there are many individuals who have amassed significant wealth through their investments and businesses. According to Africa’s billionaires list by Forbes, the net worth of the top 19 individuals on the continent goes up to $13.5 billion, with Aliko Dangote on top of the mountain.

These titans have built wealth from several industries — manufacturing, fashion and retail, metals and mining, telecommunication and a lot more. If you have you eyes on the highly coveted billionaires status here in Africa, you’ll want to pay close attention to these industries and start creating relevant solutions on cutting-edge of technology.

Let’s take a closer look at each of Africa’s billionaires, their networth and industries.

Aliko Dangote – Net worth: $13.5 billion – Industry: Manufacturing

Aliko Dangote is the wealthiest person in Africa, with a net worth of $13.5 billion. He is a Nigerian businessman who founded Dangote Cement, which is now the largest cement producer in Africa. In addition to cement, Dangote has interests in sugar, flour, and salt production. His company, Dangote Industries, has operations in 10 African countries, and he plans to expand his business to other parts of the world, including the United States and Europe.

Johann Rupert & family – Net worth: $10.7 billion – Industry: Fashion & Retail

Johann Rupert is the second-richest person in Africa. He is a South African entrepreneur and the chairman of Richemont, a luxury goods company that owns brands such as Cartier, Montblanc, and Chloé. He also has interests in the fashion industry, owning brands such as Dunhill and Alfred Dunhill. Rupert is known for his philanthropy work and is one of the founders of the South African Giving Pledge, which encourages the country’s wealthiest individuals to donate the majority of their wealth to charity.

Nicky Oppenheimer & family – Net worth: $8.4 billion – Industry: Metals & Mining

Nicky Oppenheimer is a South African businessman who inherited his fortune from his family’s diamond mining company, De Beers. He has since sold his family’s stake in De Beers and now has investments in various industries. Oppenheimer is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to conservation efforts in Africa.

Abdulsamad Rabiu – Net worth: $7.6 billion – Industry: Diversified

Abdulsamad Rabiu is a Nigerian businessman who founded BUA Group, a conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, and real estate. He also has investments in logistics, port operations, and oil and gas exploration. Rabiu is known for his philanthropy work and has donated millions of dollars to various causes in Nigeria.

Nassef Sawiris – Net worth: $7.3 billion – Industry: Construction & Engineering

Nassef Sawiris is an Egyptian businessman who is the chairman of Orascom Construction, a company that specializes in infrastructure projects such as airports and highways. He also has investments in the fertilizer industry and owns a stake in Adidas. Sawiris is known for his philanthropy work and has donated millions of dollars to education and healthcare initiatives in Egypt.

Mike Adenuga – Net worth: $6.3 billion – Industry: Diversified

Mike Adenuga is a Nigerian businessman who founded Globacom, a telecommunications company with operations in Nigeria and Ghana. He also has interests in the oil and gas industry and owns Conoil, a Nigerian oil exploration company. Adenuga is known for his philanthropy work and has donated millions of dollars to education and healthcare initiatives in Nigeria.

Issad Rebrab & family – Net worth: $4.6 billion – Industry: Food & Beverage

Issad Rebrab is an Algerian businessman who is the founder and CEO of Cevital, a conglomerate with interests in food, retail, and automotive industries. He is also the owner of the Algerian newspaper, Liberté.

Naguib Sawiris – Net worth: $3.3 billion – Industry: Telecom

Naguib Sawiris is an Egyptian businessman who is the chairman of Orascom Telecom Media and Technology, a company that operates mobile phone networks in several countries. He also has interests in the construction industry and owns a stake in Adidas.

Patrice Motsepe – Net worth: $3.2 billion – Industry: Metals & Mining

Patrice Motsepe is a South African businessman who is the founder and executive chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, a mining company that produces gold, platinum, and other minerals. He is also the owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, a South African football club.

Mohamed Mansour – Net worth: $2.9 billion – Industry: Diversified

Mohamed Mansour has a net worth of $2.9 billion and is the co-owner of Mansour Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in various sectors, including automotive, retail, energy, and real estate. The Mansour Group operates in several countries, including Egypt, the UAE, and the UK.

Koos Bekker – Net worth: $2.6 billion – Industry: Media & Entertainment

Koos Bekker is a South African businessman and the former CEO of Naspers, a multinational media and internet company. During his tenure at Naspers, Bekker transformed the company into one of the world’s largest providers of internet services, with investments in companies such as Tencent, Mail.ru, and Flipkart.

Strive Masiyiwa  – Net worth: $1.9 billion – Industry: Telecom

Strive Masiyiwa is a Zimbabwean businessman and the founder and executive chairman of Econet Wireless, a telecommunications company with operations in several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Nigeria. Masiyiwa is also involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting education and healthcare initiatives in Africa.

Aziz Akhannouch & family – Net worth: $1.5 billion – Industry: Diversified

Aziz Akhannouch is the CEO of Akwa Group, a Moroccan conglomerate with interests in various sectors, including petroleum, gas, and chemicals. Akhannouch is also a member of the Moroccan parliament and has held several cabinet positions in the Moroccan government.

Mohammed Dewji – Net worth: $1.5 billion – Industry: Diversified

Mohammed Dewji is the youngest billionaire in africa. He is a Tanzanian businessman and the CEO of MeTL Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in various sectors, including agriculture, energy, and logistics. Dewji is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes.

Youssef Mansour – Net worth: $1.5 billion – Industry: Diversified

Youssef Mansour is the chairman of the Mansour Group, a leading distributor of automobiles in Egypt and one of the largest conglomerates in the Middle East. The Mansour Group has interests in various sectors, including automotive, retail, and real estate.

Othman Benjelloun – Net worth: $1.3 billion – Industry: Finance & Investments

Othman Benjelloun & family rank 16th on the list of the richest people in Africa. They have a net worth of $1.3 billion and have made their fortune in finance and investments. Othman Benjelloun is the founder and CEO of BMCE Bank of Africa, which is one of the largest banks in Morocco. The bank has a presence in more than 20 African countries and is a major contributor to the economic growth of the continent.

Michiel Le Roux – Net worth: $1.5 billion – Industry: Finance & Investments

Michiel Le Roux, who is ranked 17th on the list, is also involved in the finance and investments industry. He has a net worth of $1.2 billion and made his fortune by founding Capitec Bank, which is one of the largest banks in South Africa. The bank has a focus on providing low-cost banking services to low-income individuals, and has been a major contributor to the financial inclusion of previously unbanked individuals in the country.

Yasseen Mansour – Net worth: $1.1 billion – Industry: Diversified

Yasseen Mansour is a member of the Mansour family, which has made its fortune in the diversified industry. He ranks 18th on the list with a net worth of $1.1 billion. The family has a stake in numerous companies across various industries, including the automotive, agriculture, and consumer goods industries. They are known for being the sole distributor of General Motors vehicles in Egypt and have a significant presence in the retail industry.

Christoffel Wiese – Net worth: $1.1 billion – Industry: Diversified

Christoffel Wiese is another billionaire who ranks 18th on the list. He has a net worth of $1.1 billion and made his fortune in the fashion and retail industry. He is the former chairman of the retail group Steinhoff International, which owns numerous retail brands across the globe, including Pep Stores, Mattress Firm, and Poundland. However, his fortune has been impacted by a major accounting scandal at Steinhoff, which has caused the company’s shares to plummet and resulted in Wiese losing a significant portion of his wealth.

In things considered, these billionaires have made their fortunes in various industries and have contributed significantly to the economic growth of Africa. While some have faced challenges, their contributions to their respective industries and the continent cannot be overlooked.