5 African Billionaires Among the World’s Top 500 Richest in 2026

Five African billionaires are among the world’s richest 500 people as of early 2026. According to Forbes, their inclusion on this prestigious international list underscores Africa’s growing impact on global wealth creation.

This indicates that the wealth of several prominent corporate executives across the continent has increased substantially.

Here are the 5 African billionaires featured on the list:

1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria)

Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote remains Africa’s richest man and one of the world’s most powerful businessmen.

The foundation of Dangote’s wealth is the Dangote Group, which includes energy, grain milling, sugar refining, and cement manufacturing.

His position as one of the richest people in the world is solidified by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s operational debut and expanding capacity. Aliko Dangote is worth $26.1 billion as of early 2026 and is ranked the 90th richest man in the world.

2. Johann Rupert (South Africa)

Johann Rupert, chairman of Richemont, is also a notable figure on the list. The South African mogul owns high-end luxury brands such as Cartier and Montblanc and is directly linked to the ongoing global demand for luxury goods.

Forbes ranked Johann Rupert 158th on the world’s richest list, with a net worth of $15.7 billion.

3. Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa)

Nicky Oppenheimer is another South African billionaire on the list. He is the heir to the De Beers diamond family, though he is no longer directly involved in the diamond giant’s activities.

Oppenheimer’s diverse assets and long-standing influence in the mining industry have helped him maintain his position as one of the world’s richest people.

Oppenheimer is 295th on the list with a fortune of $10.6 billion.

4. Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria)

Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder and chairman of BUA Group. Rabiu’s wealth has grown significantly in recent years, driven by expansion in cement production, sugar refining, and food processing.

His position in the world’s 500 wealthiest reflects the rising competitiveness of indigenous African conglomerates. Abdulsamad ranks 331st and is worth $9.8 billion.

5. Nassef Sawiris (Egypt)

Completing the list is Nassef Sawiris of Egypt, a seasoned businessman. He has significant stakes in media, construction, and telecommunications.

Sawiris is well known for building and selling telecom empires in developing nations and has effectively reallocated his capital across a range of international ventures.

So far, he has secured his place as the 407th-wealthiest individual in the world, with a net worth of $8.5 billion.

Collectively, these five millionaires provide a compelling story about African business on a global scale. Their successes serve as both personal benchmarks and markers of the continent’s overall economic potential.