According to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, South African billionaire Johann Rupert has eclipsed Nigerian business tycoon Aliko Dangote to claim the title of wealthiest person in Africa.
Dangote fell to the second spot on Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, a platform that tracks daily changes in the net worth of high-net-worth individuals worldwide. Dangote’s wealth decreased from $13.5 billion in 2023 to $9.7 billion as of January 4, 2024, a $3.8 billion loss.
Rupert’s net worth decreased during the same period in 2024, going from $10.7 billion in 2023 to $10 billion.
The 73-year-old Rupert is the chairman of the luxury goods company Compagnie Financiere Richemont, based in Switzerland and best known for brands like Montblanc and Cartier.
According to Forbes’ rating, Mike Adenuga, the chairperson of Globacom, and Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group, also saw declines in their rankings on the billionaire list. Rabiu’s wealth fell from $7.6 billion to $5.7 billion in 2023, while Adenuga’s fell from $6.3 billion to $3.1 billion.
As a result, Rabiu moved up from fourth to sixth place, and Adenuga dropped from sixth to tenth.
The current ranking of Africa’s top 10 Forbes billionaires is as follows:
1. Johann Rupert — $10 billion
2. $9.7 billion belongs to Aliko Dangote
3. Nicky Oppenheimer is worth $8.3 billion.
4. The $7.3 billion of Nassef Sawiris
5. Nathan Kirsh ($5.8 billion)
6. The $5.7 billion of Abdulsamad Rabiu
7. $4.6 billion belongs to Issad Rebrab & Family
8.Mohamed Mansour, eighth place, $3.6 billion
9. $3.3 billion is Naguib Sawiris’s
10. The $3.1 billion Mike Adenuga
Nonetheless, with a net worth of $15.4 billion, Dangote continues to hold the title of richest man in Africa, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, while Rupert has a net worth of $12 billion.
In June 2023, Dangote suffered a $3.12 billion loss as a result of Nigeria’s decision to unify its exchange rate system and float the local currency.
But by June 30 of the same year, he had added $20.7 million to his wealth through investments in the industrial sector, solidifying his position as the richest man in Africa.