At the close of the first quarter of 2025, Africa’s economic landscape continues to be shaped by bold entrepreneurship, strategic investments, and a growing focus on regional integration. Despite global economic headwinds and shifting trade dynamics, a select group of billionaires is not only holding their ground but also redefining Africa’s position in the global economy.
According to wealth rankings from respected global trackers such as Bloomberg and Forbes, the following individuals are the top billionaires in Africa this year—business titans whose influence reaches far beyond their industries.
1. Aliko Dangote – $23.9 Billion
Still reigning supreme as Africa’s richest man, Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote has built a diversified empire under the Dangote Group, covering cement, sugar, and food processing. His crown jewel, however, is the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery near Lagos, which is expected to significantly boost Nigeria’s fuel self-sufficiency. With a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the facility positions Nigeria as a potential exporter of refined petroleum products.
2. Johann Rupert – $14 Billion
South African luxury goods mogul Johann Rupert holds the second spot, courtesy of his role as chairman of Compagnie Financière Richemont—parent company to iconic brands like Cartier and Montblanc. His strategic investments and leadership have placed him at the top tier of the global fashion and luxury industry.
3. Nicky Oppenheimer – $10.4 Billion
A prominent figure in Africa’s mining legacy, Nicky Oppenheimer built his wealth through the diamond trade, particularly through De Beers, where his family once held a significant stake. Since selling it in 2012, Oppenheimer has shifted focus to conservation and private equity, becoming a vocal advocate for sustainable investing in Africa.
4. Mike Adenuga – $6.7 Billion
Mike Adenuga, Nigeria’s second richest man, has made his mark in telecommunications and oil exploration. His company Globacom is one of Nigeria’s largest mobile networks with over 60 million subscribers. His other ventures include Conoil Producing, which operates several oil blocks in the Niger Delta, and he also owns substantial shares in Sterling Financial Holding and Conoil Plc.
5. Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.1 Billion
Another Nigerian industrialist in the top five, Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in cement, sugar, and real estate. Rabiu has been instrumental in supporting West Africa’s infrastructure boom, cementing his place as one of the continent’s most dynamic entrepreneurs.
6. Naguib Sawiris – $5 Billion
An Egyptian telecom magnate, Naguib Sawiris built his fortune through Orascom Telecom, which he sold in a multibillion-dollar deal. He now chairs Orascom TMT Investments and has diversified into asset management and luxury real estate, including a Caribbean resort in Grenada.
7. Koos Bekker – $3.2 Billion
Credited with transforming South Africa’s Naspers into a global tech investor, Koos Bekker was behind one of the world’s most lucrative tech investments: a stake in Tencent. He now chairs Naspers and Prosus, overseeing a sprawling portfolio in e-commerce and entertainment.
8. Patrice Motsepe – $3 Billion
Mining tycoon and philanthropist Patrice Motsepe is the founder of African Rainbow Minerals and Africa Rainbow Capital. He is also the president of CAF (Confederation of African Football) and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns FC. His influence spans business, sports, and public service.
9. Mohammed Dewji – $2.2 Billion
Tanzania’s only billionaire, Mohammed Dewji is the CEO of MeTL Group, a conglomerate active in over 10 African countries. Dewji has made significant contributions to regional manufacturing and agribusiness, and he is a signatory of the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to philanthropic causes.
10. Prateek Suri – $1.4 Billion
UAE-born Indian entrepreneur Prateek Suri is a rising star in Africa’s billionaire ranks. Often referred to as the “Technology Tiger of Africa,” Suri is the founder of Maser Group and MDR Investments, which focus on consumer electronics, mining, and infrastructure. His $5 billion acquisition—the largest by a foreign investor on the continent—has positioned him as Africa’s wealthiest Indian. With luxury real estate in Lagos and investments in yachting and teakwood ventures, Suri represents a new generation of tech-driven, globally connected African investors.
From oil refineries and telecom empires to luxury goods and high-tech ventures, these wealth titans reflect the diversity and dynamism of Africa’s economic growth engines. As the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains momentum, their influence is set to grow further—shaping a future where Africa plays a central role in global commerce and innovation.
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Inside Tanzania’s Life-Saving Birthcare Model
Tanzania is winning the battle against maternal and newborn deaths, as the latest numbers reveal a significant decline.
“Tanzania is committed to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and ensuring safe deliveries as part of the national development plan. The Safer Births Bundle of Care is one of the key strategies supporting this effort,” said Dr. Benjamin Kamala, the Senior Research Scientist at Haydom Lutheran Hospital and Principal Investigator for the program, leading its implementation across five regions in Tanzania.
A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that the innovative health program in Tanzania – centered on regular, on-the-job training for healthcare workers – reduced maternal deaths by 75% and early newborn deaths by 40%. The three-year study, conducted across 30 high-burden healthcare facilities in Tanzania, tracked approximately 300,000 mother-baby pairs under the Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) programme. The programme focuses on improving care for mothers and babies during the day of birth, the critical time when a woman goes into labor and delivers her baby.
Maternal health is a key focus of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Target 3.1, which aims to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Tanzania’s program combines continuous, simulation-based training for frontline healthcare workers alongside innovative clinical tools to improve labour monitoring (fetal heart rate monitoring) and newborn resuscitation.It also uses data to drive ongoing improvements, ensuring that healthcare workers have the skills, confidence, and competence to manage birth-related complications for both mothers and newborns.
“We work closely with healthcare workers, equipping them with the necessary tools to improve the quality of care, ensuring they can effectively manage both mothers and babies during and after childbirth,” Dr. Kamala said, which helps them build on over a decade of innovative research and collaboration to improve care during childbirth.
“To give you a sense of the scale of the burden of maternal and newborn mortality in Tanzania when the Safer Births Bundles of Care program was in early development in 2015/16, there were around 556 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 25 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births,” he said.
The published study demonstrates the “transformative impact” of the Safer Births Bundle of Care program conducted across 30 hospitals in five high-burden regions of Tanzania, where there were about 300,000 mother-baby pairs.
Maternal deaths at the start of the program were recorded at 240 per 100,000 live births, with postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders being the leading causes of death, he said. Over the 24-month study period, this number dropped to approximately 60 per 100,000 live births, representing a 75% reduction. The number of newborn deaths – which are primarily due to breathing difficulties and complications related to prematurity – declined by 40% – from 7 deaths per 1,000 live births to 4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
“These results are remarkable,” Dr. Kamala said.
According to Dr. Kamala, the 75% reduction in maternal deaths was not expected, and a key lesson was the important role of the in-situ team simulations – including for postpartum bleeding – with reflective debriefings that trained facilitators led.
“This seems to be a major part of the success of the program,” he said. “We are delighted by these results and hope that other countries adopt and scale the Safer Births Bundle of Care program… Beyond the numbers, the Safer Births Bundle of Care program has fostered a dramatic culture shift in our healthcare system,” he said. “Healthcare workers are now more confident and better equipped to handle birth-related complications for both mothers and babies.”
Maternal death drop
Dr. Kamala attributed the 60-70% reduction in newborn deaths in Geita and Manyara to several factors.
“Firstly, Manyara was the first site for implementation, giving the region more time to adapt and experience the impact of the program. Most importantly, both regions had a high burden of stillbirths and neonatal deaths, making them ideal targets for focused intervention. As a result, newborn deaths decreased by 60-70%, showcasing a clear positive impact on newborn survival,” he said.
Dr. Kamala said another possible explanation is the differences in the culture of practices, where some health facilities reported inaccurate data due to the fear of blame and shame. However, with the project’s implementation, reporting became more accurate after mplementation. Some regions, such as Tabora, reported an increase in the number of referrals to the study hospitals from other care centers after the program was implemented. These were more likely to be late admissions, which increase the likelihood of poor health outcomes, he said.
After the implementation of the program, there was a 40% decrease in newborn deaths within the first 24 hours after birth, according to the study.
Dr. Kamala said Tanzania’s remarkable progress in reducing maternal mortality by 80% is driven by strategic investments and innovative programs focused on improving maternal and child survival rates.
“Over 2,000 new healthcare facilities have been developed, free health services are being provided to expectant mothers and children under the age of five, and emergency obstetric care – including better transport to hospitals in rural areas are helping to ensure timely, life-saving interventions.
“Most importantly, the Ministry of Health works in collaboration with healthcare workers, hospitals, and development partners to strengthen the skills of frontline healthcare workers, which has been a key factor in driving this progress.
“Political leadership, alongside strategic partnerships and financing, has been crucial in driving progress in maternal and newborn health,” he said.
The program was made possible by the support of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents, Norad, UNICEF, and Laerdal Global Health, as well as the Ministry of Health and Haydom Lutheran Hospital. Their partnership and investment enabled the scaling of the Safer Births Bundle of Care to 30 hospitals and supported the research. “The government has now scaled the program to over 150 sites, and there are plans for further expansion to three regions this year and then nationally,” he said.
Dr. Kamala outlined key policy recommendations for other governments can adopt to prioritize maternal health.
“Firstly, it focuses on cost-effective and relatively simple interventions that are essential to preventing maternal and newborn deaths. For example, stronger primary healthcare that is delivered in the community and a well-trained healthcare workforce are also critical. Additionally, working in close collaboration with national, regional, and local health authorities is key.”
He said Tanzania’s approach, where the Safer Births Bundle of Care program was successfully scaled and sustained by aligning the initiative with national guidelines for obstetrical and newborn care. In addition, the creation of mentorship programs and regular supervision has helped to sustain the results.
Looking ahead
Tanzania now plans to expand to three new regions in 2025, followed by a nationwide rollout.
The success of the program has attracted interest from other countries, with Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, and Namibia expressing interest in adapting the program to their healthcare system. In Nigeria, the program has already been launched in two states, Gombe and Borno, marking a significant step in its scaling.
Source: allafrica.com
