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Aliko Dangote, Johann Rupert Sit Atop Africa’s Forbes Richest Persons List in 2023

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Aliko Dangote - Investors King

Aliko Dangote and Johann Rupert remained the richest people in Africa in 2023, according to the latest Forbes ranking released recently.

Aliko Dangote: £13.5 billion (Nigeria)

Once again, Nigeria billionaire, Aliko Dangote leads the list of Africa’s richest men. The founder of Dangote Group has held on to the top spot for more than eight years. His cement factory is the largest in Africa with operations in ten countries across Africa.

Dangote has also ventured into oil and gas production with his ambitious oil refinery in Lagos which will be the world’s largest oil refinery in a single production. 

Johann Rupert and Family: $10.7 billion (South Africa)

Johann Rupert is the eldest son of business tycoon Anton Rupert. He is the chairman of the Swiss-based luxury goods company Richemont and the South Africa-based company Remgro. His business interest is within Retail and Fashion. Johann was also reported to inherit diamond from his late father.

Nicky Oppenheimer: $8.4 billion (South Africa)

Nicky Oppenheimer was formerly the chairman of De Beers’ diamond mining company. Born in 1945 to a German Jewish father. In 2012, Oppenheimer sold his family’s 40% stake in De Beers, the world’s biggest diamond producer for $5.2 billion in cash. Nonetheless, the billionaire still maintains private equity investments across Africa, Asia, the US and Europe. 

Abdul Rasheed Rabiu: $7.6 billion (Nigeria)

Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate active in cement production, sugar refining and real estate. In early January 2020, Rabiu merged his privately-owned Obu Cement company with the listed firm Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria, which he controlled.

The combined firm, called BUA Cement Plc, trades on the Nigerian stock exchange; Rabiu owns 98.2% of it. Just like his kinsman, Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu also have an oil refinery which is under construction in oil-rich Akwa Ibom State. 

Nassef Sawiris: $7.2 billion (Nigeria) 

Nassef Sawiris is an investor and a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family. His most valuable asset is a nearly 6% stake in sportswear maker Adidas.

To everyone’s surprise, in December 2020, he acquired a 5% stake in New York-listed firm Madison Square Garden Sports, the mother company of the NBA Knicks and the NHL Rangers teams. Nassef also has a stake in cement giant Lafarge Holcim. 

Mike Adenuga: $5.6 billion (Nigeria) 

Adenuga who is Nigeria’s third richest man built his fortune in telecom and oil production. He is the founder of Globacom with more than 55 million subscribers. His oil company, Conoil operates 6 oil blocks in Niger Delta.

He was reported to have made his first million at age 26 selling lace cloth and distributing soft drinks.

Issad Rebrab and Family: $4.6 billion (Algeria)

Issad Rebrab founded Cevital, Algeria’s biggest privately-held company, serving as the CEO for more than 50 years. The company owns one of the largest sugar refineries in the world, with the capacity to produce 2 million tons a year.

Cevital also owns European companies, including French home appliances maker Groupe Brandt, an Italian steel mill and a German water purification company. Isaac Rebrab was jailed for 8 months for corruption and released in 2020. He denied any wrongdoing after his release. 

Naguib Sawaris: $3.3 billion (Egypt)

Naguib Sawiris is a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family. His brother Nassef is also a billionaire. He built a fortune in telecom, selling Orascom Telecom in 2011 to Russian telecom firm VimpelCom (now Veon) in a multibillion-dollar transaction.

Through his Media Globe Holdings, Sawiris owns 88% of the pan-European pay TV and video news network Euronews.

Patrice Motsepe: $3.1 billion (South Africa)

Patrice Motsepe is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals. He became a billionaire in 2008. In 2016, he launched a private equity firm, African Rainbow Capital, focused on investing in Africa.

In March 2021, Motsepe was elected president of the Confederation of African Football, the sport’s governing body on the continent.

Mohamed Mansour: $2.8 billion (Egypt)

Mohamed Mansour oversees the family conglomerate Mansour Group, which was founded by his father in 1952. The company has 60,000 employees.

Mansour established General Motors dealerships in Egypt in 1975, later becoming one of GM’s biggest distributors worldwide.

He served as Egypt’s minister of transportation from 2006 to 2009 under the Hosni Mubarak regime.

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Warren Buffett Donates $5.3 Billion in Berkshire Shares to Charities

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Warren Buffett - Investors King

Renowned investor Warren Buffett has reaffirmed his commitment to philanthropy by donating $5.3 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares to five charitable foundations.

The donations announced on Friday will see the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust receive the largest portion, totaling 9.93 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway.

Also, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation will receive 993,035 shares, while the Sherwood Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and NoVo Foundation will each benefit from 695,122 shares.

Buffett, approaching his 94th birthday in August, said his annual contributions first announced in a publication back in 2006 are important.

These shares represent a significant portion of Buffett’s holdings, with his remaining Class A stock valued at approximately $127 billion, constituting nearly 99.5% of his net worth.

Over the past 18 years, Buffett has maintained a steadfast commitment to his Berkshire holdings, refraining from both buying and selling Class A or B stock.

The impact of Buffett’s philanthropy extends far beyond these recent donations, as the five foundations have collectively received Berkshire Class B shares valued at approximately $55 billion since 2006.

This ongoing support has enabled these organizations to fund initiatives ranging from global health and education to poverty alleviation and community development.

As the Berkshire shares are transferred to the designated foundations, stakeholders anticipate a continuation of impactful programs and initiatives supported by Buffett’s generosity.

Moving forward, Buffett’s philanthropic efforts are expected to further inspire and catalyze global philanthropy, setting a precedent for strategic giving and leveraging financial resources for maximum societal benefit.

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LeBron’s New Lakers Deal Pushes Net Worth to Nearly $1.5 Billion

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LeBron James has signed a two-year, $104 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources familiar with the matter.

This contract sets a new record for an NBA player of his age and pushes his net worth to almost $1.5 billion based on estimates from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

At 39 years old, James remains one of the league’s top superstars, holding the all-time scoring record and maintaining an average of 25.7 points per game last season.

His enduring performance on the court, coupled with this lucrative contract, underscores his continued dominance in professional basketball.

James’ wealth is not only derived from his NBA salary but also from an extensive portfolio of sponsorships, investments, and his own ventures.

His business empire includes the SpringHill Co., a consumer and entertainment company valued at approximately $725 million.

The company received significant investment from Nike Inc., among others, in 2021.

James’ lifetime deal with Nike is projected to bring in $1 billion, adding to his financial achievements.

Also, he earned over $100 million from the sale of Beats Electronics to Apple Inc. in 2014. His diverse investments include a 1% stake in Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool Football Club.

The new contract also aligns with James’ personal aspirations, allowing him to play alongside his 19-year-old son, Bronny James Jr., who was recently drafted by the Lakers and agreed to a four-year, $7.9 million deal.

This father-son duo marks a significant milestone in NBA history.

LeBron James has long expressed his goal of owning an NBA franchise, and this latest contract brings him closer to achieving billionaire status, a crucial step towards that dream.

His financial success mirrors his extraordinary career on the court, where he has been a dominant force since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

As James enters his 22nd NBA season, his influence extends far beyond basketball. His financial acumen and strategic investments have solidified his place as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, trailing only behind legends like Michael Jordan, who recently sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets, amassing a net worth of over $4 billion.

James’ continued success both on and off the court exemplifies his moniker “King James,” showcasing his unparalleled talent and business savvy.

With his latest contract, LeBron James reaffirms his position as a leading figure in sports and business, inspiring athletes and entrepreneurs alike.

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Amazon’s Bezos Set to Sell $5 Billion More in Stock on Record-Breaking Day

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Jeff Bezos companies

Jeff Bezos, the iconic founder and former CEO of the tech giant, announced plans to sell an additional $5 billion worth of Amazon shares.

The decision comes on the heels of Amazon’s shares rising to an all-time high of $200,  a historic milestone since its initial public offering in 1997.

Tuesday’s filing detailed Bezos’s intent to divest himself of a significant portion of his Amazon holdings.

While sales could commence immediately following the filing, Bezos’s ongoing divestitures in 2024 now worth an estimated $13.5 billion.

Since February, Bezos has been actively reducing his stake in Amazon, this represents his first major stock sales since 2021.

The recent announcement indicates his commitment to further diversifying his portfolio while maintaining a substantial ownership interest in the company he founded.

Following the latest transaction, Bezos will retain nearly 912 million shares, equivalent to about 8.8% of Amazon’s total outstanding shares.

His current holdings show his continued influence over the company, despite stepping down as CEO in 2021 and transitioning into the role of executive chairman.

Bezos’s decision to liquidate a portion of his Amazon holdings coincides with the company’s robust performance in the market.

Amazon’s stock has surged 32% this year alone, bolstered by strong growth prospects in its cloud computing division and anticipated advancements in generative AI technologies.

At 60 years old, Bezos remains one of the wealthiest individuals globally, with a net worth of approximately $221.6 billion, according to Bloomberg’s wealth index.

Beyond Amazon, he also oversees Blue Origin, a pioneering space exploration company, and holds ownership of The Washington Post.

Bezos’s relocation from Seattle to Miami last November has garnered attention, particularly due to tax implications.

By moving to Florida, which lacks a state-level capital gains tax like Washington state’s 7% levy implemented in 2022, Bezos stands to save considerable sums in taxes, potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

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