Africa’s billionaire class continues to expand as entrepreneurs across multiple industries build fortunes that increasingly compete with those of global business elites. According to the latest rankings from Forbes, the richest Africans in 2026 collectively control well over $120 billion in wealth, underscoring the continent’s growing economic influence.

Much of that wealth is rooted in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, mining, banking, and retail—industries that continue to drive large-scale economic transformation across Africa. At the same time, many of the continent’s wealthiest individuals have built multinational conglomerates whose operations now stretch far beyond their home markets.

The newest Forbes ranking of Africa’s richest billionaires also highlights how wealth remains concentrated within a handful of countries. Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, and Tanzania dominate the list, with many of the entrepreneurs leading companies that operate across multiple continents.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the richest Africans in 2026, according to Forbes, ranked from No. 23 to No. 1, along with insight into the industries and businesses that built their fortunes.

Here are the richest Africans according to Forbes’ 2026 rankings…

#23. Anas Sefrioui & Family — $1.3 Billion (Real Estate)

Moroccan billionaire Anas Sefrioui built his fortune through Addoha Group, one of North Africa’s largest real estate developers. The company specializes in large-scale affordable housing projects that have played a major role in Morocco’s urban expansion over the past two decades. Today, Sefrioui’s developments extend into several West African markets, further strengthening his influence in the region’s property sector.

#22. Femi Otedola — $1.3 Billion (Energy)

Nigerian businessman Femi Otedola returned to billionaire status after restructuring his energy investments. He currently serves as chairman of Geregu Power Plc, one of Nigeria’s major electricity generation companies. Otedola originally built his wealth through oil trading and fuel distribution before pivoting into power generation and strategic investments.

#21. Samih Sawiris — $1.4 Billion (Services)

Egyptian entrepreneur Samih Sawiris amassed his wealth through Orascom Development Holding, a global tourism and real estate company. The firm is responsible for luxury resort destinations spanning Egypt, Switzerland, Montenegro, and Oman. The Sawiris family remains one of Egypt’s most powerful and influential business dynasties.

#20. Yasseen Mansour — $1.4 Billion (Diversified)

Yasseen Mansour is a member of the influential Mansour family, which oversees the Mansour Group, one of Egypt’s largest conglomerates. The company maintains partnerships with major multinational corporations and operates across industries, including automotive distribution, logistics, and retail.

#19. Aziz Akhannouch & Family — $1.6 Billion (Diversified)

Moroccan businessman and politician Aziz Akhannouch serves as both the Prime Minister of Morocco and the majority owner of Akwa Group. His company plays a major role in petroleum distribution, gas, and chemicals across North Africa.

#18. Othman Benjelloun & Family — $1.7 Billion (Finance & Investments)

One of Morocco’s most influential financiers, Othman Benjelloun, chairs Bank of Africa, a leading financial institution operating in more than 20 African countries. His banking empire has helped fund infrastructure, trade, and development projects across the continent.

#17. Youssef Mansour — $1.8 Billion (Diversified)

Another member of Egypt’s powerful Mansour family, Youssef Mansour, oversees the consumer goods division of the Mansour Group. His business interests include partnerships with major global food and beverage companies.

#16. Christoffel Wiese — $1.9 Billion (Fashion & Retail)

South African retail magnate Christoffel Wiese built his fortune through companies such as Shoprite and Pepkor. Shoprite has grown into Africa’s largest supermarket chain, operating thousands of stores across multiple countries. Despite setbacks tied to corporate scandals affecting some investments, Wiese remains a major force in African retail.

#15. Strive Masiyiwa — $2.1 Billion (Telecom)

Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa founded Econet Wireless, one of Africa’s largest telecommunications networks. Econet operates across several countries and provides millions of people with mobile and internet connectivity. Masiyiwa is also internationally recognized for his philanthropy and technology investments.

#14. Mohammed Dewji — $2.1 Billion (Diversified)

Tanzanian billionaire Mohammed Dewji leads MeTL Group, a diversified conglomerate with operations spanning manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and consumer goods. He is widely recognized as one of Africa’s youngest billionaires and is also known for philanthropic initiatives through the Giving Pledge.

#13. Jannie Mouton & Family — $2.7 Billion (Finance & Investments)

South African investor Jannie Mouton co-founded PSG Group, an investment holding company with stakes in financial services, agriculture, and technology businesses. His investment strategy helped transform PSG into one of South Africa’s most successful investment firms.

#12. Issad Rebrab & Family — $3.6 Billion (Food & Beverage)

Algerian entrepreneur Issad Rebrab built his fortune through Cevital Group, one of Algeria’s largest privately owned companies. Cevital operates across multiple industries, including food processing, steel production, and logistics.

#11. Koos Bekker — $3.6 Billion (Media & Entertainment)

South African businessman Koos Bekker is credited with transforming Naspers from a traditional publishing company into a global technology investor. His early investment in Tencent later became one of the most profitable technology deals in history.

#10. Michiel Le Roux — $3.8 Billion (Finance & Investments)

Michiel Le Roux founded Capitec Bank, a financial institution that revolutionized retail banking in South Africa by offering low-cost services to everyday consumers.

#9. Mohamed Mansour — $4 Billion (Diversified)

Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour leads the global Mansour Group, which operates across automotive distribution, heavy equipment, and retail partnerships with international brands.

#8. Patrice Motsepe — $4.3 Billion (Metals & Mining)

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe founded African Rainbow Minerals, a major mining company involved in gold, platinum, and other mineral resources. Motsepe also serves as president of the Confederation of African Football and is known for his philanthropic work.

#7. Naguib Sawiris — $5.6 Billion (Telecom)

Egyptian entrepreneur Naguib Sawiris initially built his fortune through Orascom Telecom. In recent years, he has expanded into global investments spanning mining, media, and technology.

#6. Mike Adenuga — $6.5 Billion (Diversified)

Nigerian billionaire Mike Adenuga founded Globacom, one of Africa’s largest telecommunications networks. He also holds significant interests in oil exploration through Conoil.

#5. Nassef Sawiris — $9.6 Billion (Construction & Engineering)

Nassef Sawiris, Egypt’s richest individual, holds major stakes in Orascom Construction while also maintaining global investments across engineering, infrastructure, and sports.

#4. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family — $10.6 Billion (Metals & Mining)

South African businessman Nicky Oppenheimer inherited the De Beers diamond empire before selling the company to Anglo American. He has since focused on private investments and conservation initiatives across Africa.

#3. Abdulsamad Rabiu — $11.2 Billion (Diversified)

Nigerian industrialist Abdulsamad Rabiu founded BUA Group, a rapidly expanding conglomerate involved in cement production, sugar refining, and food processing. His rise reflects the growing strength of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

#2. Johann Rupert & Family — $16.1 Billion (Fashion & Retail)

South African billionaire Johann Rupert chairs Richemont, the global luxury conglomerate behind brands such as Cartier, Montblanc, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The company’s continued success in the international luxury market has helped secure Rupert’s position near the top of the Forbes list of the richest Africans in 2026.

#1. Aliko Dangote — $28.5 Billion (Manufacturing)

Topping the list once again is Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote Group. His conglomerate spans cement production, sugar refining, fertilizer manufacturing, and oil refining. The launch of the massive Dangote Refinery in Lagos is widely expected to transform Africa’s fuel industry while strengthening Dangote’s influence in global energy markets.

Africa’s Billionaire Class Is Growing

The latest rankings highlight how Africa’s economic landscape is steadily evolving. While natural resources remain a major source of wealth, industries such as telecommunications, banking, manufacturing, and real estate are increasingly producing new billionaires.

As investment flows into infrastructure, technology, and industrial development, the coming decade could see even more entrepreneurs join the ranks of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, reshaping both the continent’s economy and its role in global commerce.

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