Johann Rupert and his family have claimed the coveted title of the continent’s wealthiest individuals, according to Forbes’ latest rankings.
This surprising development sees Rupert surpassing the long-reigning Aliko Dangote, who now finds himself in the second position.
The Forbes Daily billionaires ranking platform, known for its meticulous tracking of the net worth of high-net-worth individuals worldwide, revealed that Dangote’s wealth experienced a notable decrease from $13.5 billion in 2023 to $9.5 billion at the start of 2024.
This decline, attributed to economic challenges across African countries, including the devaluation of the Naira, paved the way for Rupert’s ascendancy.
Johann Rupert & Family’s wealth, which stood at $10.7 billion, slightly decreased to $10.3 billion in Forbes’ 2024 rankings.
Nevertheless, this was sufficient to dethrone Dangote and secure the top spot as Africa’s wealthiest.
South Africa’s Nicky Oppenheimer & Family maintained their third position, with their wealth remaining at $8.3 billion in the start of 2024, showcasing the resilience of their financial standing.
Notable shifts in the rankings included Nassif Sawiris moving up to the fourth position, surpassing Rabiu Abdulsamad, whose diversified wealth decreased from $7.6 billion to $5.9 billion.
Meanwhile, newcomer Nathan Kirsh from Eswatini entered the list at the sixth position with a net worth of $5.8 billion.
Mike Adenuga, who occupied a higher position in 2023, faced a significant descent, dropping to the tenth richest man in Africa with a wealth depreciation from $6.3 billion to $3.1 billion.
The Forbes 2024 list underscored the dynamic nature of wealth in Africa, reflecting economic challenges and the emergence of new players in the continent’s financial landscape.
As Rupert assumes the title of Africa’s wealthiest, it marks a new era in the ranking of the continent’s financial elite.
