Dangote retains position atop Africa’s rich list as wealth drops by $3.11bn

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Aliko Dangote, the founder of the Dangote Group, continues to be the richest person in Africa.

The Kano State-born businessman was listed first on the continent’s richest list, which was published by the American media outlet on Friday, ahead of South African billionaire Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, Nassef Sawiris, Natie Kirsh, and Naguib Sawiris.

Ripples Nigeria estimates that Dangote is worth $15.6 billion as of Thursday, despite a $3.11 billion decline in wealth over the previous six months.

With a net worth of $13.3 billion and a rise in wealth of $2.51 billion year to date, Rupert and his family came in second on the list of Africa’s wealthiest people.

Nicky Oppenheimer, a fellow countryman, came in third with an estimated net worth of $9 billion.

Natie Kirsh, whose fortune increased by $38.3 million between January and June, was rated fourth with a $7.49 billion net worth.

Nassef Sawiris of Egypt held down the fifth spot with $7.41 billion. In the first half of the year, he saw a gain in his wealth of $389 million.

Naguib, Nassef’s brother, moved up to sixth place after increasing his wealth by $835 million so far this year, bringing his total net worth to $5.94 billion.