Johann Rupert of South Africa has overtaken Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, to become the richest person in Africa. Dangote, who has held the top position for several years, saw his wealth decrease by $1.7 billion year-to-date, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Rupert’s wealth increased by $1.87 billion in the same period.
The Bloomberg Billionaires Index provides a daily ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Rupert, aged 74, controls the world’s largest luxury watchmaker, Cie Financiere Richemont, through a family trust. Based in Bellevue, Switzerland, the company’s brands include Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cartier.
Rupert’s other investments include Remgro, an investment company in Stellenbosch, South Africa, with stakes in over 30 businesses.
In contrast, Dangote’s wealth primarily comes from his 86% stake in Dangote Cement, which he holds directly and through his conglomerate, Dangote Industries. Dangote’s other publicly traded assets include shares in Dangote Sugar, Nascon Allied Industries, and United Bank for Africa. His diversified investments span food manufacturing, fertilizer, oil, and other industries, including ownership of the Dangote Refinery, a 650,000 barrels per day facility in Lagos State.
The top five richest individuals in Africa now include Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa) in third place with a net worth of $11.3 billion, Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) with $9.37 billion, and Natie Kirsh (South Africa) with $9.14 billion.
Globally, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index lists the top ten richest people as:
- Elon Musk (United States) — $236 billion
- Bernard Arnault (France) — $198 billion
- Jeff Bezos (United States) — $197 billion
- Mark Zuckerberg (United States) — $185 billion
- Bill Gates (United States) — $160 billion
- Larry Ellison (United States) — $153 billion
- Larry Page (United States) — $149 billion
- Warren Buffett (United States) — $145 billion
- Steve Ballmer (United States) — $144 billion
- Sergey Brin (United States) — $140 billion
