Nigerian Cement tycoon ‘Dangote’ is the richest black person in the world, with a fortune estimated at $13.4 billion (as of 2023).
According to Forbes, some of the wealthiest black billionaires include Aliko Dangote from Nigeria, Robert Smith from United State, Mike Adenuga from Nigeria, David Steward from United States, Patrice Motsepe from South Africa, Oprah Winfrey from the United States and Michael Jordan also from the United States. These individuals not only have immense wealth but also have made significant contributions to the society through philanthropy and social activism.
Black billionaires are individuals of African ancestry with a net worth of at least US$1 billion.
Black Billionaires: Top 10 Richest Black People in the World (2023)
Below are Richest Black Billionaires In The World – Forbes 2023.
1. Aliko Dangote, $13.4 billion (Nigeria)
Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who according to Forbes is the richest black person in the world. He is the founder and CEO of the Dangote Group, a conglomerate that operates in several countries in Africa and is involved in industries such as cement, sugar, and flour. Dangote’s wealth is estimated to be worth $13.4 billions, and he is known for his philanthropic efforts, which include supporting education and healthcare in Africa.
2. Robert Smith, $8 billion (United States)
Robert Smith is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in software and technology investments. Smith has a net worth of 86 billion, making him the second wealthiest black man in the world.
Smith is known for his philanthropy, particularly in the areas of education and economic empowerment for underprivileged communities. In 2019, he made headlines for pledging to pay off the student loan debt of the entire graduating class of Morehouse College, a historically black college.
3. Abdulsamad Rabiu, $7.6 billion (Nigeria)
Abdulsamad Rabiu is a businessman, entrepreneur, and the founder and chairman of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate active in industries such as cement production, sugar refining. According to Forbes’, as of 2023, he is the third richest black billionaire with a net worth of around $7.6 billion and the third richest man in Africa.
4. Mike Adenuga, $6.2 billion (Nigeria)
Mike Adenuga is the founder and chairman of Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecommunications company, and also has significant stakes in the oil and gas industry through his company Conoil. According to Forbes, Adenuga has an estimated net worth of over $6.2 billion and is the fourth richest black man in the world. He is also known for his philanthropy, and has donated to various charitable causes in Nigeria and Africa.
5. David Steward, $6 billion (United States)
David Steward is an American businessman and the fifth richest black person in the world. He is the founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, one of the largest African-American-owned businesses in the United States. The company specializes in providing technology products and services to government and commercial clients. According to Forbes, Steward has an estimated net worth of over $6 billion and is considered one of the most successful and influential business leaders in the US.
6. Patrice Motsepe, $3.1 billion (South Africa)
Patrice Motsepe is the founder and CEO of African Rainbow Minerals, a listed mining company that owns ferrous and base metals, platinum and coal operations in South Africa.
He is also the founder of African Rainbow Capital, an investment firm that acquires stakes in financial services companies.
He is currently the richest black man in South Africa and the only black south African on forbes list of richest black billionaires.
7. Oprah Winfrey, $2.5 billion (United States)
Oprah Winfrey is a media mogul and philanthropist who is considered to be one of the most successful and influential figures in the entertainment industry. According to Forbes’ Billionaires List, as of 2023, she is the seventh richest black billionaire in the world with a net worth of around $2.5 billion.
Winfrey rose to fame as a talk show host and has since expanded her empire to include a production company, a magazine, and a cable network. She has also invested in several companies and has a stake in Weight Watchers.
8. Strive Masiyiwa, $1.9 billion (Zimbabwe)
Strive Masiyiwa is a London-based Zimbabwean billionaire businessman, and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of the telecommunications, media and technology company Econet Wireless.
He owns just over 50% of the publicly-traded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, which is one part of his larger Econet Group.
Masiyiwa also owns over half of private company Liquid Telecom, which provides fiber optic and satellite services to telecom firms across Africa.
His other assets include stakes in mobile phone networks in Burundi and Lesotho, and investments in fintech and power distribution firms in Africa.
As of January 2023, Strive Masiyiwa has an estimated net worth of US $1.9 billion and is the eighth richest black person in the world.
9. Michael Jordan, $1.7 billion (United States)
Michael Jordan is a retired professional basketball player and businessman, widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is also one of the wealthiest black billionaires in the world. According to Forbes, as of 2023, he is the 9th richest black billionaire with a net worth of around $1.7 billion.
10. Mohammed Dewji, $1.5 billion (Tanzania)
Mohammed Dewji is a Tanzanian billionaire businessman and former politician. He is the owner of MeTL Group, a Tanzanian conglomerate founded by his father in the 1970s.
His company ‘MeTL Group’ has investments in manufacturing, agriculture, trading, finance, mobile telephony, insurance, real estate, transport and logistics, and food and beverages. The group conducts business in 11 countries and employs over 28,000 people.
As of 2023, Dewji has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, makimg him the 10th richest black billionaire in the world, the 16th richest person in Africa and the youngest billionaire in Africa.
11. Shawn Corey Carter (Jay Z), $1.3 billion (United States)
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, songwriter, record executive, businessman, media proprietor, and record producer. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists in history, and often cited as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
In 2019, Jay Z became hip-hop’s first billionaire thanks to an empire that includes liquor, art, real estate and stakes in companies like Uber.
12. Tyler Perry, $1 billion (United States)
A director, actor, producer and writer, Tyler Perry is best known for his “Madea” franchise, which has grossed more than $660 million.
Perry’s wealth comes both from his cut as a producer and from a library dating back to the early 1990s: he owns 100% of the content he’s created.
Top 12 Black Billionaires 2023
| Rank | Name | Net Worth | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aliko Dangote | $13.4 billion | Nigeria |
| 2 | Robert Smith | $8 billion | United States |
| 3 | Abdulsamad Rabiu | $7.6 billion | Nigeria |
| 4 | Mike Adenuga | $6.2 billion | Nigeria |
| 5 | David Steward | $6 billion | United States |
| 6 | Patrice Motsepe | $3.1 billion | South Africa |
| 7 | Oprah Winfrey | $2.5 billion | United States |
| 8 | Strive Masiyiwa | $1.9 billion | Zimbabwe |
| 9 | Michael Jordan | $1.7 billion | United States |
| 10 | Mohammed Dewji | $1.5 billion | Tanzania |
| 11 | Shawn Corey Carter (Jay Z) | $1.3 billion | United States |
| 12 | Tyler Perry | $1 billion | United States |
Top 20 Richest People in Africa 2023
| Rank | Name | Country | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aliko Dangote | Nigeria | $13.5 Billion |
| 2 | Johann Rupert | South Africa | $10.7 Billion |
| 3 | Nicky Oppenheimer | South Africa | $8.4 Billion |
| 4 | Nassef Sawiris | Egypt | $7.5 Billion |
| 5 | Mike Adenuga | Nigeria | $5.6 Billion |
| 6 | Abdulsamad Rabiu | Nigeria | $5.8 Billion |
| 7 | Issad Rebrab | Algeria | $4.6 Billion |
| 8 | Naguib Sawiris | Egypt | $3.3 Billion |
| 9 | Patrice Motsepe | South Africa | $3.2 Billion |
| 10 | Mohamed Mansour | Egypt | $2.9 Billion |
| 11 | Koos Bekker | South Africa | $2.7 Billion |
| 12 | Youssef Mansour | Egypt | $1.6 Billion |
| 13 | Aziz Akhannouch | Morocco | $1.5 Billion |
| 14 | Mohammed Dewji | Tanzania | $1.5 Billion |
| 15 | Strive Masiyiwa | Zimbabwe | $1.3 Billion |
| 16 | Othman Benjelloun | Morocco | $1.3 Billion |
| 17 | Michiel Le Roux | South Africa | $1.2 Billion |
| 18 | Yasseen Mansour | Egypt | $1.1 Billion |
