As of the start of 2024, South African business mogul Johann Rupert has emerged as Africa’s wealthiest man, dethroning Nigerian Aliko Dangote, according to various sources, including The Nation Online, AllAfrica, and Business Insider Africa.
The list of the top 10 richest people in Africa at the start of 2024 is as follows:
- Johann Rupert & Family – $10.3 billion (South Africa)
- Aliko Dangote – $9.5 billion (Nigeria)
- Nicky Oppenheimer & Family – $8.3 billion (South Africa)
- Nassef Sawiris – $7.4 billion (Egypt)
- Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.9 billion (Nigeria)
- Nathan Kirsh – $5.8 billion (Eswatini/Swaziland)
- Issad Rebrab & Family – $4.6 billion (Algeria)
- Mohamed Mansour – $3.6 billion (Egypt)
- Naguib Sawiris – $3.3 billion (Egypt)
- Mike Adenuga – $3.1 billion (Nigeria)
Johann Rupert, with a net worth of $10.3 billion, is the chairman of Richemont, a Swiss luxury goods company that owns brands such as Cartier, Montblanc, and Dunhill
Rupert’s wealth increased by $1.1 billion in 2023, thanks to a surge in demand for luxury goods in Asia.
Aliko Dangote, who had held the top spot for several years, slipped to second place with a net worth of $9.5 billion.
Dangote is the founder and CEO of Dangote Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, and other commodities.
Nicky Oppenheimer & Family, with a net worth of $8.3 billion, is the former chairman of De Beers, the world’s largest diamond producer.
Oppenheimer sold his family’s 40% stake in De Beers to mining company Anglo American in 2012 for $5.1 billion.
Nassef Sawiris, with a net worth of $7.4 billion, is the CEO of Orascom Construction, an engineering and construction company based in Egypt.
Sawiris also has significant investments in the fertilizer industry through his company, OCI
Abdulsamad Rabiu, with a net worth of $5.9 billion, is the founder and CEO of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, and real estate.
Nathan Kirsh, with a net worth of $5.8 billion, is a South African businessman who made his fortune in retail and real estate.
Kirsh is the founder of Jetro Holdings, a wholesale food distributor in the United States.
Issad Rebrab & Family, with a net worth of $4.6 billion, is the founder and CEO of Cevital, an Algerian conglomerate with interests in food, retail, and real estate.
Mohamed Mansour, with a net worth of $3.6 billion, is the chairman of Mansour Group, an Egyptian conglomerate with interests in automotive, retail, and real estate.
Naguib Sawiris, with a net worth of $3.3 billion, is the chairman of Orascom Investment Holding, an Egyptian investment company with interests in telecommunications, media, and technology
Mike Adenuga, with a net worth of $3.1 billion, is the founder and CEO of Globacom, a Nigerian telecommunications company, and Conoil, a Nigerian oil exploration company.
In conclusion, the top 10 richest people in Africa at the start of 2024 are a mix of business moguls, entrepreneurs, and investors, with a combined net worth of over $60 billion. Johann Rupert has emerged as Africa’s wealthiest man, dethroning Aliko Dangote, who had held the top spot for several years.
The list includes individuals from South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, and Eswatini/Swaziland, with interests in luxury goods, diamonds, engineering, construction, cement, sugar, real estate, automotive, retail, telecommunications, media, and technology.