Aliko Dangote tops world’s black billionaires list with $23.9B; Nigerians claim 3 spots in the top 10

Key Takeaways

  • Aliko Dangote of Nigeria is the richest Black billionaire globally, with more than double the wealth of the next African on the list.
  • Six of the top 10 billionaires are American, led by David Steward ($11.4B) and Robert F. Smith ($10.8B).
  • Nigeria is the only African country with multiple names: Dangote ($23.9B), Mike Adenuga ($6.8B), and Abdulsamad Rabiu ($5.1B).
  • Fortunes span industries from cement, oil, and telecoms in Africa to tech, investment, sports, and entertainment in the US.

Forbes' ranking of the world’s richest Black billionaires reflects a striking split between Africa’s industrialists and America’s business and cultural icons. At the top sits Aliko Dangote of Nigeria, whose $23.9B fortune keeps him firmly ahead of his peers, largely driven by cement, sugar, and other industrial ventures. Nigeria further cements its place on the global stage with Mike Adenuga ($6.8B) and Abdulsamad Rabiu ($5.1B), making it the only African nation with three names in the top ten.

In contrast, the United States contributes six billionaires, led by David Steward ($11.4B) and Robert F. Smith ($10.8B) in tech and private equity, alongside entertainment and sports moguls like Michael Jordan ($3.5B), Oprah Winfrey ($3.0B), and Jay-Z ($2.5B). Also included is Alexander Karp ($8.4B), Palantir’s CEO, who Forbes categorises as black, though he is of mixed race.

South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe ($3.0B) rounds out the list, showing how mining wealth continues to shape African fortunes. Together, these figures highlight how Africa’s wealth is still anchored in natural resources and infrastructure, while the US' wealth is more diversified across technology, finance, and culture.

Source:

Forbes

Period:

April 2025
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