Olushola Omogbehin
Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote has topped the Forbes 2026 Africa Billionaires ranking to retain his position as Africa’s richest person with an estimated fortune of $28.5 billion.
The latest ranking which was released on Monday, shows that Africa’s 23-member billionaire club is now worth $126.7 billion.
It represents a 21 per cent jump from 2025, triggered by stronger equity markets and improving currency stability across many African economies.
Increase in Dangote’s wealth was boosted by Dangote Cement shares, which surged following the company’s record profits in 2025 while Johann Rupert, South African luxury goods tycoon came second with $16.1 billion.
Nigeria’s Abdulsamad Rabiu was the list’s standout performer, climbing to third position after recording the biggest gain among all 23 billionaires.
Rabiu’s fortune rose by 120 per cent to $11.2 billion, powered by the exceptional performance of BUA Cement shares during the year.
Four Nigerian billionaires who made the ranking are Dangote, Rabiu, Mike Adenuga with $6.5 billion, and Femi Otedola with $1.3 billion.
It places Nigeria third behind South Africa, which leads with seven billionaires, and Egypt with five. Morocco followed with three.
See the complete Forbes 2026 Africa Billionaires list and 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)
Forbes ranking involves African billionaires who live in Africa or carry out their primary business there and stock prices with currency exchange rates as of March 1, 2026 were used to calculate net worths and thereafter compared with Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires list.
Clearly, no woman features on the ranking.
