Johann Rupert, a South African business mogul, has clinched
the coveted spot of Africa’s wealthiest person, displacing Aliko Dangote,
Nigeria’s business tycoon.
This was disclosed by Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, a
ranking platform which tracks daily changes to the net worth of the most
high-net-worth individuals across the globe.
According to the real-time data, Dangote, the founder of the
Dangote Group conglomerate, moved down to second position after his wealth
decreased from $13.5 billion in 2023 to $9.7 billion as at January 4, 2024 —
indicating a $3.8 billion loss.
Similarly, Rupert’s net worth decreased from $10.7 billion
in 2023 to $10 billion in the same period in 2024.
Rupert, a 73-year-old, is the chairman of Compagnie
Financiere Richemont, a Swiss luxury goods firm best known for the brands
Cartier and Montblanc.
MIKE ADENUGA, ABDUL
SAMAD RABIU LOSE POSITIONS
Meanwhile, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group, and
Mike Adenuga, the chairperson of Globacom, also lost their positions on the
billionaire list.
According to Forbes’ ranking, Adenuga’s wealth decreased
from $6.3 billion in 2023 to $3.1 billion on Thursday, while Rabiu’s wealth
moved from $7.6 billion to $5.7 billion.
Consequently, Adenuga moved to the 10th position from the
6th, while Rabiu moved from the 4th position to the 6th.
Here’s a full list of the top ten Forbes billionaires
ranking in Africa.
1. Johann Rupert & family — $10 billion
2. Aliko Dangote — $9.7 billion
3 Nicky Oppenheimer & family — $8.3 billion
4. Nassef Sawiris — $7.3 billion
5. Nathan Kirsh — $5.8 billion
6. Abdulsamad Rabiu — $5.7 billion
7. Issad Rebrab & Family — $4.6 billion
8. Mohamed Mansour — $3.6 billion
9. Naguib Sawiris — $3.3 billion
10. Mike Adenuga — $3.1 billion
On the other hand, checks on the Bloomberg Billionaires
Index shows that Dangote still maintains his position as Africa’s richest man
with a net worth of $15.4 billion, while Rupert’s net worth is $12 billion.
Dangote, had on June 15, 2023, lost $3.12 billion following
Nigeria’s decision to float the local currency and unify its exchange rate
system. By June 30 in the same year, the billionaire increased his wealth by
$20.7 million through investments in the industrial sector — thereby cementing
his spot as Africa’s richest man.
The billionaire’s fall in Forbes billionaire ranking could
be attributed to the devaluation of the naira as “net worths were calculated
using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on
Friday, January 13, 2023″.
Last modified: January 4, 2024
