Top 10 Sectors with the Highest Billionaires in Africa 2025 | USAEMALL.com

In Summary

• Currently, Africa has 22 billionaires with a combined net worth of $105 billion, up from $82.4 billion and 20 billionaires in 2024. 
• Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, with a net worth of $23.9 billion, leads the list for the 14th consecutive year. 
• Johann Rupert ($14 billion), Nicky Oppenheimer ($10.4 billion), Mike Adenuga ($6.8 billion) are other notable billionaires in Africa.

Deep dive!!

The African billionaire landscape has continued to evolve, reflecting the continent’s dynamic economic transformation and the emergence of new growth frontiers. Despite global economic uncertainties, Africa has witnessed a significant surge in wealth creation, fueled by entrepreneurship, industrial expansion, and increased intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Billionaires across the continent have made their fortunes in diverse sectors—from traditional industries like mining and construction to rapidly growing fields such as technology, telecommunications, and media. According to Forbes, the continent currently boasts 22 billionaires with a combined net worth of $105 billion, up from $82.4 billion and 20 billionaires in the previous year. Aliko Dangote, with a net worth of $23.9 billion, leads the list for the 14th consecutive year. 

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the Top 10 Sectors That Have Produced the Most Billionaires in Africa in 2025, highlighting the economic significance of each industry. We explore the backgrounds, net worth, and entrepreneurial journeys of the continent’s wealthiest individuals, showcasing how innovation, resilience, and strategic diversification have positioned them at the helm of Africa’s wealth hierarchy. As you’ll discover, these sectors are not only engines of wealth but also crucial drivers of job creation, infrastructure development, and regional economic stability.

In 2025, these ten sectors stand out for producing the most billionaires in Africa, with individuals not only building empires but also shaping economies. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor, or simply curious about Africa’s economic giants, this breakdown offers invaluable insights into the industries that are shaping the future of wealth on the continent; here is a countdown from number ten to number one.

Here are the Top 10 Sectors with the Highest Number of Billionaires in Africa in 2025. Check them out!

10. Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare – 1 Billionaire

The healthcare and pharmaceutical sector has seen significant growth, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of health infrastructure.

• Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania): Through MeTL Group, Dewji has expanded into pharmaceuticals and healthcare, contributing to his billionaire status in 2025.

9. Media & Entertainment – 1 Billionaire

Africa’s media and entertainment landscape has seen explosive growth, particularly with the rise of digital platforms.

• Koos Bekker (South Africa): Chairman of Naspers, Bekker transformed the media group into a global digital powerhouse, significantly influencing Africa’s content ecosystem.

8. Food & Agriculture – 1 Billionaire

Agriculture remains a cornerstone of African economies and a growing source of wealth.

• Issad Rebrab (Algeria): Owner of Cevital, which operates one of the largest sugar refineries in the world, in addition to major food processing operations.

7. Energy & Utilities – 2 Billionaires

Africa’s growing energy demand has led to the rise of moguls in oil, gas, and electricity.

• Femi Otedola (Nigeria): Chairman of Geregu Power, Otedola has diversified into electricity and energy infrastructure.
• Aziz Akhannouch (Morocco): Through Akwa Group, Akhannouch has built a vast empire in petroleum and chemicals.

6. Retail & Consumer Goods – 2 Billionaires

Retail has flourished with Africa’s expanding middle class and increased urbanization.

• Johann Rupert (South Africa): Chair of Richemont, the company behind luxury brands like Cartier and Montblanc.
• Christoffel Wiese (South Africa): Former majority owner of Shoprite and Pepkor, Wiese remains a giant in retail.

5. Diversified Holdings – 3 Billionaires

Some billionaires have amassed wealth across multiple industries.

• Mohamed Mansour (Egypt): Oversees a conglomerate spanning automotive, finance, and retail.
• Youssef Mansour (Egypt): Heads the consumer goods division of the Mansour Group.
• Yasseen Mansour (Egypt): Focuses on logistics and other diversified operations within the family empire.

4. Finance & Investments – 3 Billionaires

Africa’s booming financial sector has created substantial wealth for banking and investment moguls.

• Koos Bekker (South Africa): Also listed here for his influence in financial technology through Naspers’ investments.
• Michiel Le Roux (South Africa): Founder of Capitec Bank, serving millions of South Africans.
• Othman Benjelloun (Morocco): CEO of BMCE Bank, with operations across over 20 African countries.

3. Mining & Natural Resources – 3 Billionaires

Natural resources remain Africa’s most lucrative asset class.

• Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa): Former chairman of De Beers; now focused on private equity and conservation.
• Patrice Motsepe (South Africa): Owner of African Rainbow Minerals, one of Africa’s largest mining firms.
• Issad Rebrab (Algeria): Also featured for his diversified business with deep roots in industrial operations.

2. Telecommunications & Technology – 3 Billionaires

Tech and telecoms have changed how Africans communicate, transact, and live, creating massive wealth in the process.

• Mike Adenuga (Nigeria): Founder of Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom network.
• Naguib Sawiris (Egypt): Built and sold Orascom Telecom, then diversified into tech and media.
• Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe): Founder of Econet Wireless, with operations across multiple African countries.

1. Manufacturing & Construction – 4 Billionaires

This sector remains Africa’s top billionaire producer, driven by infrastructure development, industrialization, and urban growth.

• Aliko Dangote (Nigeria): Africa’s richest man, with interests in cement, sugar, flour, and oil refining. Net worth in 2025: $20+ billion.
• Nassef Sawiris (Egypt): Controls Orascom Construction and has significant holdings in Adidas. Net worth: $9.5 billion.
• Abdul Samad Rabiu (Nigeria): Chairman of BUA Group, major player in cement and sugar. Net worth: $7.6 billion.
• Anas Sefrioui (Morocco): CEO of Addoha Group, specializing in affordable housing and construction. Net worth: $1.3 billion.

Conclusion

The billionaire landscape in Africa is a testament to the continent’s vast economic potential, resource endowment, and the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. As this list demonstrates, wealth creation in Africa spans across both traditional and emerging sectors. From manufacturing and construction to telecommunications, finance, energy, and even entertainment, African billionaires have leveraged both local opportunities and global partnerships to build thriving business empires.

While legacy sectors like natural resources, real estate, and agriculture continue to underpin much of Africa’s traditional wealth, the rise of billionaires in technology, diversified holdings, and media reflects a shift toward innovation, digitization, and value-added industries. Countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco dominate this list, showcasing the importance of political stability, infrastructure, and access to capital in enabling entrepreneurial success.

Importantly, these billionaires are more than just wealthy individuals—they are agents of economic development. Their companies employ millions, fund social infrastructure, and stimulate industrial growth across borders. As Africa moves deeper into the digital age and regional integration strengthens, these sectors—and the billionaires behind them—will continue to shape the continent’s economic narrative.

For entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers, this article provides not only a map of where Africa’s greatest fortunes lie, but also a strategic guide to the sectors with the most potential to generate wealth and economic transformation over the next decade.