Africa’s billionaire class is largely made up of older business leaders, but some younger billionaires have built huge fortunes in manufacturing, telecoms, energy, mining and investments. Forbes’ 2026 Africa Billionaires list names 23 billionaires. Reordered by age, these are the 10 youngest:
1. Mohammed Dewji — 51 — $2.1bn
Tanzania’s only billionaire and CEO of METL, founded by his father in the 1970s. The group operates textile, flour, beverage and edible oil businesses across 10 African countries. Dewji signed the Giving Pledge in 2016.
2. Femi Otedola — 63 — $1.3bn
The Nigerian made his first fortune in commodities, sold his Forte Oil shares and moved into energy. He sold most of Geregu Power in 2025 but kept 5%. He also owns stakes in Zenith Bank and FBN Holdings.
3. Patrice Motsepe — 64 — $4.3bn
The South African founded African Rainbow Minerals and became a billionaire in 2008, the first Black African on Forbes’ list. He also has interests in African Rainbow Capital, Sanlam and Mamelodi Sundowns. He has led CAF since 2021.
4. Nassef Sawiris — 65 — $9.6bn
The Egyptian runs OCI and holds interests in Orascom Construction and Adidas. He also owns stakes in Aston Villa and Madison Square Garden Sports.
5. Strive Masiyiwa — 65 — $2.1bn
The Zimbabwean founded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in 1998 despite government opposition. He owns 38% of the company and about 33% of EcoCash. His interests include Liquid Intelligent Technologies, fintech and power. He has been on Netflix’s board since 2020.
6. Aziz Akhannouch — 65 — $1.6bn
Morocco’s prime minister and majority owner of Akwa Group, founded in 1932. The group operates in petroleum, gas and chemicals through businesses including Afriquia Gaz and Maghreb Oxygene. He became prime minister in September 2021.
7. Yasseen Mansour — 65 — $1.4bn
The Egyptian is a shareholder in Mansour Group, founded by his father in 1952. The group distributes General Motors vehicles and Caterpillar equipment. Mansour also chairs Palm Hills Developments. His brothers, Mohamed and Youssef, are billionaires.
8. Abdulsamad Rabiu — 66 — $11.2bn
The Nigerian founded BUA Group, which operates in cement, sugar and real estate. He owns 98.2% of BUA Cement and 95% of BUA Foods. He started his business in 1988 importing iron, steel and chemicals.
9. Aliko Dangote — 69 — $28.5bn
Africa’s richest person founded and chairs Dangote Cement, Africa’s largest cement producer, with 48.6 million metric tonnes of annual capacity across 10 countries. His businesses also include fertiliser and refining. His fertiliser plant began operations in 2022, while the refinery started refining in 2024.
10. Samih Sawiris — 69 — $1.4bn
The Egyptian founded and chairs Orascom Development Holding, which develops resorts in Egypt, Montenegro and Switzerland. He and brothers Nassef and Naguib also hold stakes in Orascom Construction. Sawiris co-founded the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development.
