Dangote tops Africa’s billionaires as fortunes rise by $20bn
Nigeria continues to feature prominently among Africa’s wealthiest individuals. Aliko Dangote retains his position as the continent’s richest person, with significant gains reported for other Nigerian billionaires like Abdulsamad Rabiu, Mike Adenuga, and Femi Otedola. The combined net worth of Africa’s top billionaires surged, driven by strong equity markets and currency stability. The latest Forbes ranking highlights both the winners and losers among Africa’s elite.
TLDR
- The continent’s 23-member billionaire club is now worth $126.7 billion, up 21% from 2025.
- Aliko Dangote’s net worth rose to $28.5 billion, increasing by $4.6 billion this year.
- Abdulsamad Rabiu saw the biggest gain, with his fortune jumping 120% to $11.2 billion.
- Femi Otedola lost $200 million but returned to the list with a net worth of $1.3 billion.
- Net worths were calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates as of March 1, 2026, compared with Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires list.
