For much of 2024, the race at the top of Africas rich list was a two-man contest marked by sharp swings and close calls. South African billionaire Johann Rupert and Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote traded places as market values shifted and major assets came into clearer view.
That contest ended decisively in October 2024, when Dangotes long-awaited 20 billion refinery was factored into his wealth , pushing his net worth well past 25 billion and later in 2025 beyond 30 billion , and locking in his position as Africas richest person. Since then, the story has changed. The spotlight has shifted from rivalry to pursuit. Ruperts climb has been quieter, steadier, and anchored in the public markets rather than a single transformative project.
Today, the South African luxury goods magnate is edging closer to a landmark few on the continent have reachedwith Aliko Dangote being the only oneclosing in on a 20 billion fortune that would make him only the second African billionaire to cross that threshold.
