Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List: 6 Nigerians Among Africa’s Richest

The 2025 Forbes Billionaires List features some of Africa’s richest people, including well-known names like Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, and Femi Otedola. Since Forbes started tracking billionaires in 1987 with just 140 people, the list has grown significantly. 

By 2025, it includes a record 3,028 billionaires worldwide, up by 247 from the year before. Together, these billionaires have a total wealth of $16.1 trillion, almost $2 trillion more than in 2024.

While the United States has the most billionaires with 902, followed by China (including Hong Kong) with 516, and India with 205, Africa also has a strong presence.

Africa’s richest are increasing their wealth and impact in different business areas. Forbes calculates their wealth based on current stock prices and exchange rates to provide an accurate list.

Aliko Dangote

Topping the list with a net worth of $23.9 billion, Aliko Dangote’s wealth surged following the 2024 operational start of his Dangote refinery, which significantly boosted his finances by $10.5 billion from the previous year.

Mike Adenuga

Adenuga is the Owner of Globacom, a major telecommunications firm, Adenuga holds a net worth of $6.8 billion, making him the fifth richest Black billionaire globally.

Abdulsamad Rabiu

Founder of BUA Group, Rabiu is sixth on the list with a wealth of $5.1 billion.

Adebayo Ogunlesi

CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Ogunlesi has a net worth of $2.2 billion. He recently increased his fortune in October 2024 when GIP was sold to BlackRock for $12.5 billion in cash and shares.

Femi Otedola

Femi, with a net worth of $1.5 billion, Otedola ranks twelfth. He initially made his wealth in commodities before shifting focus to the energy sector as the chairman and majority owner of Geregu Power.

Tope Awotona

Tolu, Founder of the scheduling software startup Calendly, valued at $3 billion in 2021, Awotona has a net worth of $1.4 billion, placing him fourteenth on the list.