Samih Sawiris is one of the richest men in Africa and has business in Portuguese football
With a fortune of $ 57 billion, they have more than 750 million people together. Given is from the NGO Oxfam, which warns that growing inequality in Africa is making democracy unfeasible.
The four richest people in Africa hold together together 57.4 billion dollars (about 49 billion euros) and are richer than 750 million Africans-the equivalent of half of the continent’s population-according to a report released this month by Oxfam, a non-governmental organization that fights poverty and inequality.
Africa, who had no multimillionaires in the year 2000, currently has 23. And this group saw their fortune grow 56% Over the past five years, reaching the $ 112.6 billion (96 billion euros), according to Oxfam.
The richest 5% on the continent concentrate almost 4 billion of dollars (3.4 billion of euros) in wealth – more than twice the richness of the remaining 95% of the African population.
In January, Oxfam had warned that the wealth of multimillionaires was growing like never before worldwide.
“Wealth in Africa is not missing. It is being diverted by a failed system that allows a small elite to accumulate immense fortunes, while denies hundreds of millions of people to the most basic services. This is a total failure of public policies – unfair, avoidable and totally reversible“, Afirma Fati N’Zi-Hassane, Director of Oxfam Para or African continent.
Poverty has shot since 1990
The Oxfam report indicates that 23 two 50 countries At the top of the world ranking of inequality are in Africa. But the panorama is even more severe in population terms: out of ten people living in extreme poverty in the world, seven meet in Africa. In 1990, this proportion was one in ten. Currently, almost 850 million people are hungry.
The NGO denounces that government policies harm the poor and allow ultrarics to accumulate even more wealth, deepening inequality. “Most African countries are not fully using progressive taxation to effectively tax supercies and combat inequality,” the report says.
According to Oxfam, tax systems in Africa are almost three times less effective in redistribution of yields of the richest 1% compared to the global average.
An additional 1% tax on wealth and 10% on the richest 1% yield could generate $ 66 billion (about 56 billion euros) per year – more than sufficient to collect the financing deficits of free and quality public education, and to ensure universal access to electricity, defend the authors of the report.
Oxfam also estimates that Africa annually loses $ 88.6 billion (491.1 billion euros) due to illicit financial flows.
The report stresses that inequality compromises democracy, prevents the reduction of poverty and aggravates the climate crisis on the African continent. It also points out that capture of policy by ultraricates It weakens public policies aimed at the poorest and compromises the effectiveness of public institutions.
In Nigeria, the largest African democracy, for example, the requirement of exorbitant amounts by political parties discourages many citizens to compete for public office. On the other hand, the vote purchase It remains a relatively common practice.
Who are the richest men in Africa
1. Aliko Dangote
Aliko Dangote (left)
In its report, Oxfam identifies Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote as The richest man in Africawith an estimated fortune of $ 23.3 billion (19.9 billion euros).
Self -taught entrepreneur, he founded Dangote Cement, the largest cement producer on the continent. Also operates in the fertilizer and refining sectors, and in 2025 occupies the 83rd place to the list yes forbes.
2. Johann Rupert
Following the dangote, comes the South African Johann Rupert, with $ 14.2 billion (about 12 billion euros).
The businessman is known to be the president of the Swiss group Richemontone of the largest luxury conglomerates in the world-holds prestigious marks such as Cartier, Montblanc, Van Cleef & Arpels and Jaeger-Lecoultre. Rupert is also president of Remgro, a holding company of investments based in South Africa, and Reinet Investments, an investment company based in Luxembourg.
Son of Tobacco Magnata Anton Rupert, he began his career at banks in the United States before returning to South Africa to expand family business.
3. Nicky Oppenheimer
Nicky Oppenheimer (right) with Russian President Vladimir Putin (left).
Also South African will have a fortune of $ 10.2 billion (8.7 billion euros).
Heir to the dynasty that controlled the The Beers For over 80 years, he is co -owner of Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa’s largest private reserve, and Shangani Ranch in Zimbabwe, with over 65,000 hectares.
He studied in Harrow School, the United Kingdom, and obtained a master’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Oxford. He joined Anglo American in 1968, becoming director in 1974, vice president in 1983 and president of De Beers in 1998, a position he held until 2012, the year the family sold 40% of the company to Anglo American for about $ 5.2 billion.
4. Nassef Sawiris
Samih Sawiris
The Egyptian comes fourth with $ 9.4 billion (about 8 billion euros) in personal coffers.
Founder of the Orascom Construction Industries Group, the investor is heir to Egypt’s richest family.
In 1998 he became CEO of Orascom Construction Industries; In 2013 he led the reorganization that created OCI NV, one of the world’s largest producers of nitrogen -based fertilizers, quoted at Euronext Amsterdam.
He holds a significant stake in the Adidas group (about 6–7 %). In 2020 he acquired about 5 % of Madison Square Garden Sports, owner of NBA and NHL teams in the US.
With the billionaire Wes Edens, co -fired the group V Sports (former NSWE), which holds the English soccer club Aston Villa and a 29 % participation in Vitória de Guimarães.
In April 2025 he announced that he transferred his UK tax residence to Italy and Abu Dhabi, due to legislative amendments that affected favorable tax regimes in the United Kingdom.
