The Secret Hobbies of Africa’s Billionaires: Discovering the Passion Projects of the Continent’s Wealthiest People

Africa is home to some of the wealthiest people on the planet, with several billionaires across the continent who  have a diverse range of interests and hobbies that they pursue in their free time.

While their immense wealth and business ventures often make headlines, there are some things about Africa’s billionaires that remain hidden from the public eye, their secret hobbies.

Some of them enjoy collecting arts, antiques, while others are passionate about sports and the like. In this article, we would look at some hobbies of these billionaires.

Collecting Arts

One popular hobby among Africa’s billionaires is collecting art. Africa is filled with a rich cultural heritage with different traditional art forms like textiles to sculptures and a host of others. Most African billionaires have not only collected African art but have also invested in contemporary African art.

Some of the continent’s most prominent art collectors include Nigerian billionaire, Tony Elumelu, who owns an impressive collection of African contemporary art, and South African businessman Patrice Motsepe, who has a vast collection of African art that spans multiple centuries. 

These collectors not only enjoy the beauty and creativity of the artwork, but also see it as a way to support African artists and preserve their cultural heritage.

Collecting Luxurious Cars

Another common hobby among Africa’s billionaires is collecting luxury cars. Africa is a home with a growing number of billionaires with a passion for collecting luxury cars.  These collectors are not just buying exotic sports cars and classic automobiles for their personal enjoyment, but also as investments and to showcase their wealth and status.

For example, Nigerian oil tycoon Femi Otedola is known for his collection of classic and vintage cars, while South African businessman Johann Rupert has a collection of high-performance sports cars and supercars.

Love for Sport

The love for sports has long been a source of passion and pride for people all around the world, and African billionaires are no exception. From basketball to soccer, athletics to golf, African billionaires are known to have a diverse range of sporting interests and are often seen engaging in recreational activities as a means of relaxation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For instance, Moroccan businessman Othman Benjelloun is an avid scuba diver, as well as Nigerian billionaire Folorunso Alakija who enjoys hiking and mountaineering. 

These individuals have the means to not only participate in various sports but also to invest heavily in the development of sports infrastructure and talent across the continent. 

Conservation of Wildlife.

A growing number of African billionaires have taken up the cause of conservation of wildlife as a hobby. These individuals have used their resources to support a range of initiatives, from anti-poaching efforts to the protection of endangered species. 

Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean billionaire is an example of an individual with love for wildlife and has worked to protect elephants and rhinos from poaching in Zimbabwe. Another example is Tony Elumelu, a Nigerian billionaire who has a passion for wildlife conservation and supports several conservation projects in Africa.

While some have established their own private game reserves, others have partnered with conservation organizations to fund research and education programs.