Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, and Abdulsamad Rabiu have been named among Africa’s richest individuals in 2026.
Africa’s wealthiest entrepreneurs have once again been spotlighted as Forbes releases its 2026 Africa Billionaires ranking, with Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, and Abdulsamad Rabiu leading the pack.
Topping the list, Aliko Dangote retained his title as Africa’s richest man, with an estimated net worth of $28.5 billion. Over the past year, Dangote added approximately $4.6 billion to his fortune, largely thanks to the robust performance of Dangote Cement on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
Telecommunications and business tycoon Mike Adenuga, founder of Globacom and chairman of Conoil Producing, also held firm among Africa’s elite. Known for his diversified investments across telecoms, oil and gas, and banking, Adenuga remains one of Nigeria’s most influential entrepreneurs.
Despite a minor drop in wealth, Femi Otedola, chairman of Geregu Power Plc, made the list. Forbes reports that the investor lost around $200 million following the sale of a majority stake in his power company at below market value.
Meanwhile, Abdulsamad Rabiu saw a significant rise in his net worth, fueled by the impressive performance of BUA Cement, whose shares surged 135% over the past year, surpassing the broader gains of the Nigerian stock market.
The 2026 ranking highlights 23 African billionaires, collectively worth $126.7 billion, a 21% increase from 2025, as their combined wealth grew by $20.3 billion. Across the continent, the growth of billionaire fortunes was supported by strong equity markets, record corporate profits, and improved currency stability in several economies.
By country, South Africa leads with seven billionaires, followed by Egypt with five, Nigeria with four, and Morocco with three. Notably, no female billionaires from Africa made the 2026 list.
Forbes’ annual Africa Billionaires ranking underscores the continent’s economic dynamism and the growing influence of its leading business magnates.
