Forbes 2026 Africa Billionaires Ranking: Dangote Retains Top Spot, Nigeria Lists Four

Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has once again topped the Forbes Africa Billionaires ranking for 2026 with an estimated net worth of $28.5 billion.

The annual list released Monday by Forbes shows that the continent’s 23 billionaires are now worth a combined $126.7 billion — a 21 percent rise compared with 2025. The increase was attributed to stronger stock markets and improved currency stability in parts of Africa.

Dangote’s wealth received a significant boost from a surge in the share price of Dangote Cement following the company’s record profits in 2025.

South African luxury goods businessman Johann Rupert ranked second with $16.1 billion.

Nigeria’s Abdulsamad Rabiu posted the largest increase in wealth among the billionaires, moving up to third place after his net worth jumped 120 percent to $11.2 billion. The rise was fueled by the strong performance of shares in BUA Cement.

Nigeria recorded four billionaires on the list: Dangote, Rabiu, Mike Adenuga with $6.5 billion, and Femi Otedola with $1.3 billion.

The country ranked third overall behind South Africa, which leads with seven billionaires, and Egypt with five. Morocco followed with three billionaires.

Forbes also noted that 14 of the 23 individuals on the list built their fortunes themselves, while no female billionaire appeared in the 2026 ranking.

The publication attributed the overall growth in wealth to improved investor confidence in major African markets and stronger regional currencies over the past year.

Full Forbes 2026 Africa Billionaires List (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)

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