Africa’s richest individuals significantly expanded their fortunes in the past year, with the continent’s billionaires collectively adding more than $20 billion to their wealth, according to the latest ranking released by Forbes.
The Forbes 2026 list shows that the combined net worth of Africa’s 23 billionaires has climbed to $126.7 billion, representing a 21 per cent increase from 2025. The growth was driven largely by stronger equity markets across the continent and improving currency stability in several economies.
Nigeria’s industrialist Aliko Dangote retained the top spot as Africa’s richest person with an estimated $28.5 billion fortune. The increase in his wealth was boosted by a sharp rise in Dangote Cement shares, which surged after the company posted record profits in 2025.
South African luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert ranked second with $16.1 billion, while Nigerian businessman Abdulsamad Rabiu climbed to third position after recording the biggest gain on the list.
Rabiu’s fortune jumped by 120 per cent to $11.2 billion, driven mainly by the strong performance of BUA Cement, whose shares rose sharply during the year.
Below is the full list of Africa’s billionaires in 2026 and their estimated net worth:
Aliko Dangote – $28.5bn (Diversified)
Johann Rupert & family – $16.1bn (Fashion & Retail)
Abdulsamad Rabiu – $11.2bn (Diversified)
Nicky Oppenheimer & family – $10.6bn (Metals & Mining)
Nassef Sawiris – $9.6bn (Construction & Engineering)
Mike Adenuga – $6.5bn (Diversified)
Naguib Sawiris – $5.6bn (Telecom)
Patrice Motsepe – $4.3bn (Metals & Mining)
Mohamed Mansour – $4bn (Diversified)
Michiel Le Roux – $3.8bn (Finance & Investments)
Koos Bekker – $3.6bn (Media & Entertainment)
Issad Rebrab & family – $3.6bn (Food & Beverage)
Jannie Mouton & family – $2.7bn (Finance & Investments)
Mohammed Dewji – $2.1bn (Diversified)
Strive Masiyiwa – $2.1bn (Telecom)
Christoffel Wiese – $1.9bn (Fashion & Retail)
Youssef Mansour – $1.8bn (Diversified)
Othman Benjelloun & family – $1.7bn (Finance & Investments)
Aziz Akhannouch & family – $1.6bn (Diversified)
Yasseen Mansour – $1.4bn (Diversified)
Samih Sawiris – $1.4bn (Service)
Femi Otedola – $1.3bn (Diversified)
Anas Sefrioui & family – $1.3bn (Real Estate)
Nigeria maintained a strong presence on the ranking with four billionaires — Dangote, Rabiu, Adenuga and Otedola.
Overall, 14 of the 23 billionaires are self-made, while none of the individuals on the list are women. South Africa leads with seven billionaires, followed by Egypt with five, Nigeria with four, and Morocco with three.
Forbes said the wealth increase reflects improved investor confidence across major African markets and stronger regional currencies over the past year.
Vanguard News
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