- Black have thrived in entrepreneurship. In this article, we list the top ten richest black people in the world in 2023
The world is brimming with black people who have thrived in entrepreneurship and achieved great career milestones and crossed the billion mark.
Below is a list of the top ten richest black people-in no particular order-as compiled by WoK.
Aliko Dangote
For more than ten years in a row, Aliko Dangote has held the number one position as the richest person in Africa. According to the Bloomberg Index, as of November 2023, his net worth was US$16.1 Billion making him the richest black person in the continent and 107th richest overall. In 2007, he became Nigeria’s first dollar billionaire.
Established in 1977, Dangote Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Africa with interests in cement and the food industry. In West Africa alone, the company employs more than 10,000 people.
Mike Adenuga
The Nigerian National made his first million at the age of 26 in 1979 selling lace and distributing soft drinks. With his wealth being valued at US$3.3 billion by Forbes, his company Globacom is Nigeria’s second largest telecom operator with a presence in Ghana and Benin.
Abdul Samad Rabiu
The Nigerian billionaire is the founder and CEO of BUA Group. The company’s interests are spread across manufacturing, infrastructure, and Agriculture and it makes more than US$2.5 billion in revenues.
With his ranking and reported net worth changing every other time, in January 2020, Forbes estimated his net worth at $3.2 billion. In January 2022, he was said to be the second richest in Nigeria and in April the same year, the fifth richest in Africa with a $6.7 million net worth.
In January 2023, he was reported to be the 4th richest in Africa with Forbes valuing his net worth at $6.2 billion as of November 2023.
Robert F Smith
The American businessman is the founder of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm. According to the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, America’s richest billionaire’s net worth currently stands at $11.4 billion. On the other hand, Forbes estimated his current net worth at $9.2 billion.
As of 2019, Vista Equity Partners was the fourth-largest enterprise software company, after Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP, including all their holdings. Vista has invested in companies such as STATS, Ping Identity, and Jio. As of 2019, Vista Equity Partners had closed more than $46 billion of funding.
David Steward
The American businessman is the founder of World Wide Technology, one of the largest businesses in America owned by an African American. According to Forbes, in 2019 Steward was one of 13 black billionaires worldwide and was ranked 239th on the Forbes 400 list of American billionaires in 2019. Currently, Forbes estimates his wealth at $7.6 billion.
Patrice Motsepe
The South African is the founder of African Rainbow minerals and is serving as the president of the Confederation of African football.
His mining company has interests in gold, ferrous metals, base metals, and platinum. More than a decade ago, he was named the richest person in South Africa with a net of $1 billion.
In 2020, Forbes ranked him 1,307th-wealthiest person in the world, with a reported fortune of US$2.1 billion.
Jay Z
Shawn Corey Carter is an American rapper and entrepreneur. In 2019, he became rap’s first billionaire. Billboard and Vibe named him the Greatest Rapper of All Time in 2023. According to Forbes’ latest estimates, the founder of Roc Nation (an entertainment company) is worth $2.5 billion.
Michael Jordan
According to Forbes, the former basketball player and businessman’s net worth is estimated at US$3 billion. He became the first athlete to become a billionaire in 2014.
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is among the world’s few actors to become a billionaire. He has been featured in numerous productions and is famed for the creation of Madea. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at $1 billion. According to Forbes, the movies Madea have grossed more than US$660 million and have made him at least US$290 million in profits.
Lebron James
The American professional basketball player is considered one of the greatest players in the sport’s history, often compared to Michael Jordan. He is the all-time leading scorer in the NBA and has won four championships. He is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire with Forbes estimating his net worth at US$1 billion.
Tope Awotona
The Nigerian is the founder of Calendly, a scheduling software company. Before founding the company, he had started other businesses and was also a salesperson for a few tech firms. Forbes estimated his fortune at US$1.2 billion.
Sean Combs
Sean Combs is America’s rapper and businessman currently embroiled in a few sexual assault allegations. Popularly known as Diddy, several sources estimate his net worth to be between US$900 million and US$1 billion.
