Three Nigerian billionaires make Africa's top 10 richest list in 2026
By Aboki Forex —
Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu and Mike Adenuga are ranked among Africa's 10 richest people as of September 1, 2026, according to Forbes' real-time billionaires tracker. Dangote remains the continent's wealthiest person with a net worth of $31.4 billion.
Dangote is followed by Eswatini-based billionaire Nathan Kirsh, who has an estimated $19.2 billion, and South African Johann Rupert and his family, who rank third with $17.5 billion.
Dangote adds $2.9 billion to fortune
Dangote's wealth has grown by about $2.9 billion since Forbes published its annual Africa billionaires list in March. His fortune is largely linked to manufacturing interests, including Dangote Cement and the Dangote refinery in Lagos. Forbes says he owns an 87.45% stake in Dangote Cement and a 92.3% stake in the refinery.
The Nigerian industrialist has held the top spot on Forbes' annual Africa ranking for 15 consecutive years. Together, Dangote, Kirsh and Rupert account for about 56% of the $121.3 billion combined wealth held by Africa's 10 richest people.
Motsepe drops out of top 10
South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe has fallen to 11th position on Forbes' real-time ranking. Motsepe, founder of African Rainbow Minerals, has an estimated fortune of $3.6 billion, according to Billionaires.Africa. He was overtaken by fellow South African Michiel le Roux, founder of Capitec, whose fortune stands at $3.7 billion.
The full ranking as of September 1, 2026: Aliko Dangote $31.4bn, Nathan Kirsh $19.2bn, Johann Rupert and family $17.5bn, Abdulsamad Rabiu $12.6bn, Nicky Oppenheimer and family $10.7bn, Nassef Sawiris $9.6bn, Mike Adenuga $7bn, Naguib Sawiris $5.6bn, Mohamed Mansour $4bn, and Michiel le Roux $3.7bn.
Forbes' real-time figures can change daily because billionaire fortunes are affected by movements in share prices and exchange rates. The ranking reflects estimated wealth on September 1, not a fixed annual list.
Otedola wealth rises after First HoldCo milestone
Separately, Femi Otedola's personal fortune has climbed back to its highest point in nearly a decade after First HoldCo Plc, the parent company of First Bank of Nigeria, crossed the N6 trillion market capitalisation barrier for the first time in Nigerian banking history. Forbes' real-time tracker put Otedola at $1.8 billion, matching his 2018 wealth level and representing a rise of roughly $700 million.
For Nigerian businesses, the continued presence of three Nigerians on the continent's richest list underscores the wealth generated by banking, cement, manufacturing and telecom investments.