Mbabane – The Forbes 2025 list of the world’s Black billionaires pins Nigerian businessman, Aliko Dangote, as Africa’s richest man alive, with a staggering net worth of $23.9 billion.
His fortune surged after the long-awaited Dangote Refinery finally began operations in 2024, adding more than $10 billion to his wealth in just one year. Fellow Nigerians Mike Adenuga, $6.8B, and Abdulsamad Rabiu, $5.1B, also feature prominently, with diversified interests spanning telecoms, oil, cement, and sugar.
The list highlights the growing global impact of Black entrepreneurs and investors, with Nigeria and the United States dominating the rankings in business, sports, entertainment, and technology.
New appearances in the list include chairman of Geregu Power, Femi Otedola, ($1.5B), and Tope Awotona, $1.4B, the Nigerian founder of scheduling software Calendly, Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa, $1.2B, and South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe, $3B, further demonstrating the continent’s expanding billionaire club.
Across the Atlantic, the United States remains home to the largest number of Black billionaires. Leading the pack are David Steward, $11.4B, founder of Worldwide Technology, and Robert F. Smith, $10.8B, head of Vista Equity Partners. The entertainment world also shines, with icons like Jay-Z, $2.5B, Oprah Winfrey, $3B, Tyler Perry, $1.4B, and Rihanna, $1.4B, proving the value of creative influence and smart investments.
Sports legends are not left behind, with Michael Jordan, $3.5B, Magic Johnson, $1.5B, Tiger Woods, $1.4B, and LeBron James, $1.3B, turning athletic talent into billion-dollar brands.
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