Black billionaires remain a small fraction of the world’s wealthiest individuals, making up just 0.8% of the 3,028 billionaires listed in Forbes’ 2025 World’s Billionaires ranking. According to the report, only 23 billionaires are Black, with a combined net worth of $96.2 billion, highlighting the persistent global wealth gap.
Among them, six are Nigerians, reinforcing the country’s prominence in Africa’s business and investment sectors.
Topping the Nigerian list is Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group, who remains Africa’s richest man with a net worth of $23.9 billion. His wealth surged by $10.5 billion in the past year, largely due to the operational launch of the Dangote Refinery in early 2024.
Following him is Mike Adenuga, founder of Globacom, with a net worth of $6.8 billion, ranking fifth among Black billionaires. His fortune stems from telecommunications, oil, and real estate.
Abdulsamad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, is sixth on the list with $5.1 billion, built from cement, sugar, and other industries.
Adebayo Ogunlesi, CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), ranks 11th among Black billionaires with $2.2 billion. His fortune grew after BlackRock’s $12.5 billion acquisition of GIP in October 2024.
Energy magnate Femi Otedola, chairman of Geregu Power, holds the 12th spot with $1.5 billion, having transitioned from commodities to Nigeria’s power sector.
The final Nigerian on the list is Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, ranking 14th with $1.4 billion. His scheduling software startup, launched in 2013, was valued at $3 billion in 2021.
