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Dangote Leads Forbes Africa’s Richest Again, Other mentions are Adenga, Ovia and Danjuma

By on November 22, 2012

Aliko Dangote of Nigeria tops the list for the second year running, with a net worth of $12 billion, up from $10.1 billion in November 2011. Most of his net worth lies in publicly traded Dangote Cement, which operates in 14 African countries. Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa comes in once again as the second richest, with a $6.4 billion fortune—down $100 million from a year ago. Oppenheimer decided in late 2011 to sell his family’s 40% stake in diamond producer DeBeers to mining company Anglo American for $5.1 billion. The deal got final regulatory approval in July 2012, marking the end of 85 years of Oppenheimer family control of DeBeers.

Notable newcomers include the list’s first two women: Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria, whose joins due to her stake in the prolific Agbami oil field; and Isabel dos Santos of Angola, an entrepreneur, investor and daughter of that country’s president.  South Africa’s Desmond Sacco debuts as a billionaire thanks to his shares in mining concern Assore, which he chairs. Another South African newcomer: Koos Bekker, who since 1997 has turned media group Naspers into a true multinational firm, taking neither a salary nor a bonus along the way. His $450 million net worth lies mostly in vested Naspers options.

The Africa’s billionaires list featured Nigerian business moguls, like Mike Adenuga, who ranks the fifth position with a net worth of $4.6 billion from his telecommunications and oil companies; Jim Ovia emerged as the 19th wealthiest man in the continent with a net worth of $825 million; Abdulsamad Rabiu, who heads BUA Group is ranked 21st with a net worth of $675 million. Folorunsho Alakija, who is one of the two women that made the list, ranked 24th with a net worth of $600 Million from her oil business.

At par with Folorunsho Alakija on the list is 73-year old former Nigerian defense minister, Theophilus Danjuma, with a net worth of $600 million from the oil sector, while 68-year old former banker and Honey Well Group founder, Oba Otudeko, came next with a net worth of $575 million.

At the 27th position is Mohammed Indimi, with a net worth of $550 million from the oil and gas sector. Mr. O.B. Lulu-Briggs also makes the list on the 31st spot with a net worth of $500 million, also from the oil sector. On the 37th position is Sani Bello, former Nigerian Military Governor from Kano State and a one-time Ambassador to Zimbabwe with a net worth of $425 million.

Standing tall at the end of the list is Hakeem Belo-Osagie, the 57-year old Harvard-trained petroleum economist with an estimated $400 million net worth.

Notable newcomers included the first two women: Folorunsho Alakija of Nigeria, who joined due to her stake in the prolific Agbami oil field; and Isabel dos Santos of Angola, an entrepreneur, investor and daughter of that country’s President.

View list here

Source: Forbes, Guardian