Africa’s economic landscape in 2025 continues to be shaped by influential business leaders whose investments span a wide range of industries. From manufacturing and telecommunications to luxury goods and infrastructure, these five individuals represent the continent’s most financially successful figures. 1. Aliko Dangote – Net worth: $23.9 billion Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote remains Africa’s richest individual. His business empire, the Dangote Group, has interests in cement, sugar, flour, and petrochemicals. A key development is the Dangote Petroleum Refinery near Lagos—valued at $20 billion—which aims to significantly reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel by producing up to 650,000 barrels per day. In 2025, his flagship Dangote Petroleum Refinery began full-scale commercial operations, producing 650,000 barrels per day. This development has significantly improved Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply and is projected to make the country a net exporter of refined petroleum products by mid-year. The refinery’s output is already attracting international partnerships and export contracts, positioning Dangote as a central figure in Africa’s energy independence narrative. 2. Johann Rupert – Net worth: $12.7 billion Johann Rupert, a South African billionaire, is the chairman of Compagnie Financière Richemont, the Swiss-based luxury goods company behind brands such as Cartier and Montblanc. His investments also extend to Remgro and Reinet, further reinforcing his standing in the global business community. In 2025, the company announced a strategic merger with a major Asian luxury house, expanding its footprint in high-growth markets. The move is seen as a forward-looking response to shifting global consumer trends. 3. Strive Masiyiwa – Net worth: $1.9 billion Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa is the founder and executive chairman of Econet Group, a multinational telecommunications and technology firm operating in more than 15 countries. Beyond business, he is known for his philanthropic work and leadership in advancing digital access across Africa. Masiyiwa’s Econet Group expanded its 5G infrastructure to six more African countries in 2025, making it one of the continent’s most extensive private networks. His company, Cassava Technologies, has partnered with Nvidia to launch Africa’s first AI factory. 4. Mohamed Dewji – Net worth: $1.5 billion Mohamed Dewji, a Tanzanian businessman and philanthropist, leads MeTL Group—a major conglomerate with interests in agriculture, manufacturing, trading, and logistics. His role in expanding the group’s reach has positioned him among East Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs. Mohamed Dewji’s MeTL Group launched a $500 million agro-processing industrial park in Dodoma in 2025, aimed at boosting Tanzania’s exports and value addition in agriculture. 5. Prateek Suri – Net worth: $1.4 billion Prateek Suri, founder of Maser Group and MDR Investments, has built a notable presence in Africa’s consumer electronics and infrastructure sectors. His business portfolio includes ventures in mining and recent interests in teakwood and marine leisure. He is currently the wealthiest Indian entrepreneur based in Africa. He made headlines with the launch of Africa’s first modular smart home systems and investments in marine infrastructure, including luxury yacht services in coastal African cities.
