Forbes names Africa's richest people

US-based Forbes has published a ranking of Africa's richest businessmen in 2023. It includes 19 businessmen who represent only seven countries of the continent out of 54. The total wealth of the list Forbes USA estimated at $ 81.5 billion, which is $ 3.1 billion less than it was in 2022.

First place for the 12th consecutive year was Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, whose fortune Forbes USA estimated at $ 13.5 billion. Dangote's capital decreased by $400 million compared to last year's ranking. Dangote owns Africa's largest cement producer, Dangote Cement.

Second in the ranking was Johann Rupert, chairman of Compagnie Financiere Richemont in Switzerland, which owns brands such as Cartier, Montblanc and Chloe. Rupert holds the citizenship of the Republic of South Africa (RSA). His fortune was estimated by Forbes USA at $10.7 billion. In third place was Nicky Oppenheimer, the heir to the diamond mining company DeBeers. Oppenheimer also has South African citizenship, his fortune was estimated by Forbes USA at $8.4 billion.

Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris was ranked fifth. He owns around six per cent of sportswear and equipment manufacturer Adidas as well as five per cent of New York's Madison Square Garden Sports, which owns the New York Knicks (NBA) and New York Rangers (NHL). Saviris' fortune is estimated at $7.3bn.