• African billionaires increased their combined net worth by $21.9 billion in 2025.
• Nigerian businessman Abdul Samad Rabiu posted the largest wealth gain on the continent.
• Global billionaire wealth rose to a record $11.9 trillion, driven by asset market rallies.

During 2025, African billionaires recorded a net wealth increase of $21.9 billion. The latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, published in late December, disclosed this performance among the world’s 500 richest individuals.

According to the ranking, Nigerian billionaire Abdul Samad Rabiu posted the largest wealth increase in Africa. Rabiu expanded his net worth by $6.2 billion to $9.35 billion. He ranked as Africa’s seventh-richest individual and placed 383rd globally. The Kano-born industrialist derived most of his wealth from holdings in BUA Foods, where he owned 92.6%, and BUA Cement, where he owned 95.2%. In August 2025, Rabiu became the wealthiest investor on the Nigerian Exchange after stronger valuations of both companies, according to market data at the close of trading on Friday, August 8, 2025.

Aliko Dangote remained Africa’s richest person. The chairman of the Dangote Group ranked 76th globally. Bloomberg estimated his fortune at $29.9 billion, reflecting a $1.87 billion increase from the previous year.

South African businessman Johann Rupert ranked second in Africa. Rupert, founder and main shareholder of Swiss-based luxury group Richemont, which owns brands including Cartier, Montblanc, and Ralph Lauren, held a family fortune valued at $19.3 billion and ranked 135th globally.

Nicky Oppenheimer placed third in Africa. The South African billionaire chaired diamond company De Beers and mining group Anglo American, which his grandfather founded. He ranked 226th globally with a net worth of $13.8 billion.

Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris ranked 312th globally with a fortune of $10.7 billion.

Business magnate Nathan Kirsh of Eswatini followed with $9.66 billion.

Nassef Sawiris ranked next with a net worth of $9.52 billion.

At the global level, the ranking showed that the world’s richest individuals grew even wealthier. The combined net worth of the world’s 500 richest people increased by $2.2 trillion to a record $11.9 trillion, supported by surging equity markets, cryptocurrencies, and precious metals such as gold and silver.

Elon Musk ranked as the world’s richest individual. Musk held a net worth of $645 billion, exceeding the combined wealth of his two closest rivals, Larry Page at $270 billion and Jeff Bezos at $254 billion.

French businessman Bernard Arnault ranked among the top 15 with an estimated fortune of $204 billion.

Spanish entrepreneur Amancio Ortega followed with $136 billion. Arnault and Ortega remained the only Europeans in a top 15 ranking dominated by U.S. fortunes.

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum