Africa’s richest people: The countries with the most billionaires
South Africa is home to more billionaires than any other African country, according to Forbes’ 2026 list of the continent’s richest people.
Forbes’ annual Africa billionaires ranking features a number of people with a combined estimated net worth of $126.7 billion.
The ranking shows that billionaire wealth remains concentrated in a handful of African countries, with South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco accounting for most of the names on the list.
South Africa leads the billionaire list
South Africa has seven billionaires on the Forbes ranking, making it the country with the largest representation.
The country’s richest person is Johann Rupert and his family, with an estimated fortune of $16.1 billion.
Other South Africans on the list include Nicky Oppenheimer and family, Patrice Motsepe, Michiel Le Roux, Koos Bekker, Jannie Mouton and Christoffel Wiese.
Their fortunes come from industries including luxury goods, mining, finance, media and retail.
Egypt has five billionaires
Egypt has the second-highest number of billionaires, with five people appearing on the Forbes list.
They include Nassef Sawiris, Naguib Sawiris, Mohamed Mansour, Youssef Mansour and Yasseen Mansour.
Nassef Sawiris is the richest Egyptian on the list, with an estimated fortune of $9.6 billion.
Nigeria has Africa’s richest person
Nigeria has four billionaires on the ranking, including Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mike Adenuga and Femi Otedola.
Dangote tops Forbes’ 2026 Africa billionaires list with an estimated $28.5 billion at the ranking’s March valuation date.
However, Forbes’ latest September update shows how quickly billionaire fortunes can change. Dangote’s estimated fortune had risen to more than $50 billion following a private placement linked to his oil refinery.
Morocco and Zimbabwe also feature
Morocco has three billionaires on the list, while Algeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe each have one.
Zimbabwe’s sole representative is telecoms billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, who Forbes valued at $2.1 billion for the 2026 annual ranking.
Forbes notes that its Africa list focuses on African citizens who reside on the continent or have their primary business there, meaning some Africa-born billionaires based elsewhere are excluded.
The figures therefore provide a snapshot of billionaire wealth rather than a fixed measure, as fortunes can change with share prices, currencies and private-company valuations.
| Rank by number | Country | Number of billionaires | Billionaires named on the Forbes list |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 7 | Johann Rupert & family; Nicky Oppenheimer & family; Patrice Motsepe; Michiel Le Roux; Koos Bekker; Jannie Mouton & family; Christoffel Wiese |
| 2 | Egypt | 5 | Nassef Sawiris; Naguib Sawiris; Mohamed Mansour; Youssef Mansour; Yasseen Mansour |
| 3 | Nigeria | 4 | Aliko Dangote; Abdulsamad Rabiu; Mike Adenuga; Femi Otedola |
| 4 | Morocco | 3 | Othman Benjelloun & family; Aziz Akhannouch & family; Anas Sefrioui & family |
| 5 | Algeria | 1 | Issad Rebrab & family |
| 5 | Tanzania | 1 | Mohammed Dewji |
| 5 | Zimbabwe | 1 | Strive Masiyiwa |
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