Aliko Dangote of Nigeria is the richest person in Africa, worth about $28.5 billion in 2026 and has held the title for over a decade. South Africa’s Johann Rupert and Nigeria’s Abdulsamad Rabiu follow. Africa has 23 billionaires worth a combined $126.7 billion (Forbes, 2026).
The richest people in Africa (2026)
Africa’s wealthiest are concentrated in a few large economies and built on cement, telecoms, mining, luxury goods and, increasingly, oil refining. As of 2026, Aliko Dangote leads by a wide margin, worth about $28.5 billion (Forbes). Figures are from the Forbes 2026 Africa’s Billionaires list.
| Rank | Name | Country | Net worth (2026) | Source of wealth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aliko Dangote | Nigeria | ~$28.5B | Cement, sugar, oil refining |
| 2 | Johann Rupert | South Africa | ~$16.1B | Luxury goods (Richemont) |
| 3 | Abdulsamad Rabiu | Nigeria | ~$11.2B | Cement, sugar (BUA) |
| 4 | Nicky Oppenheimer | South Africa | ~$10.6B | Diamonds (ex-De Beers) |
| 5 | Nassef Sawiris | Egypt | ~$9.6B | Construction, chemicals |
| 6 | Mike Adenuga | Nigeria | ~$6.5B | Telecom, oil |
| 7 | Naguib Sawiris | Egypt | ~$5.6B | Telecom, diversified |
| 8 | Patrice Motsepe | South Africa | ~$4.3B | Mining |
| 9 | Mohamed Mansour | Egypt | ~$4.0B | Diversified (Mansour Group) |
| 10 | Michiel Le Roux | South Africa | ~$3.8B | Banking (Capitec) |
Net worths as of the Forbes 2026 list; ranks 6–10 are close and can shift. Figures via secondary outlets citing Forbes.
Africa’s billionaires
Wealth on the continent is highly concentrated. Africa had 23 billionaires with a combined net worth of about $126.7 billion in 2026, up 21% on the year (Businessday, citing Forbes). Just three countries dominate: South Africa has 7 billionaires, Egypt 5 and Nigeria 4. The top 10 alone hold roughly $100 billion, about four-fifths of all African billionaire wealth.
Dangote’s fortune illustrates Africa’s shift toward industry. His giant refinery near Lagos, which he plans to take public in 2026, is designed to end Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel and roughly double in capacity by 2029 (Vanguard).
Key takeaways
- Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest person at ~$28.5 billion (Forbes, 2026).
- South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria are home to most of the continent’s billionaires.
- Africa has 23 billionaires worth a combined ~$126.7 billion, up 21% year on year.
- The top 10 hold about $100 billion, roughly 80% of the total.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the richest man in Africa in 2026?
Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, worth about $28.5 billion (Forbes, 2026). The founder of Dangote Cement and the vast Dangote Refinery, he has been Africa’s richest person every year since 2013.
How many billionaires does Africa have?
Africa had 23 billionaires in 2026, with a combined net worth of about $126.7 billion, up 21% from the previous year (Forbes). Their wealth is heavily concentrated in a handful of countries.
Which African country has the most billionaires?
South Africa, with 7 billionaires in 2026, followed by Egypt with 5 and Nigeria with 4 (Forbes). Together these three countries account for most of the continent’s billionaire wealth.
Sources
- The Nation, Full list: richest people in Africa 2026 (citing Forbes) — retrieved 2026-07-05 — thenationonlineng.net
- Businessday, Takeaways from Forbes 2026 Africa’s richest list — retrieved 2026-07-05 — businessday.ng
- Vanguard, Dangote on the Forbes 2026 list — retrieved 2026-07-05 — vanguardngr.com
Last updated: July 4, 2026
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