Top 5 youngest billionaires in Africa
Africa is home to some billionaires who have done very well in areas like technology, manufacturing, and real estate. Most of Africa’s wealthiest people are older, but a few younger people have made their mark with outstanding achievements.
According to Forbes’ annual billionaire rankings, here are five of the youngest billionaires in Africa, with the youngest being in his 40s.
Tope Awotona (43 Years) – $1.4 Billion
Tope Awotona, from Nigeria, is the founder of Calendly, a scheduling software company valued at $3 billion. His net worth is $1.4 billion, making him one of the wealthiest Black billionaires in the world.
Awotona grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia, after a tragic incident where his father was killed during a carjacking. This loss motivated him to work hard and follow his entrepreneurial dreams.
After earning a degree in business, Awotona worked for companies like IBM before using his savings to launch Calendly in 2013. Today, Calendly has over 10 million users worldwide, helping businesses organise their schedules more efficiently. His story is one of resilience and determination.
Mohammed Dewji (49 Years) – $1.8 Billion
Mohammed Dewji is a Tanzanian businessman and owner of MeTL Group, Tanzania’s largest domestic company. MeTL operates in 11 African countries, working in industries like manufacturing, trade, and finance. The company is valued at over $1.5 billion.
Dewji took over the business from his father and turned it into one of Africa’s most successful enterprises.
He is also a philanthropist, supporting healthcare, education, and community projects in Tanzania.
Patrice Motsepe (62 Years) – $2.7 Billion
Patrice Motsepe is a South African billionaire and the founder of African Rainbow Minerals, a company involved in mining gold, platinum, and other metals. His net worth is $2.7 billion.
Motsepe is also the owner of the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and holds shares in Sanlam, a financial services company. He became the first Black African billionaire to appear on Forbes’ list in 2008. Through his foundation, Motsepe supports education, healthcare, and job creation in South Africa.
Strive Masiyiwa (63 Years) – $1.8 Billion
Strive Masiyiwa, from Zimbabwe, is the founder of Econet Wireless, a telecom company operating in Africa and beyond. He also owns shares in Liquid Telecom, which provides internet services across the continent.
Masiyiwa’s ventures include renewable energy, finance, and media, contributing to his $1.8 billion net worth. In 1996, he and his family started the Higher Life Foundation, which helps provide education to African children. His dedication to improving lives and his success in business make him an inspiration.
Yasseen Mansour (63 Years) – $1.2 Billion
Yasseen Mansour is an Egyptian billionaire with a stake in the Mansour Group, a company founded by his father in 1952. The Mansour Group is a major distributor of GM automobiles and Caterpillar machinery in Egypt and other countries. Mansour is also the chairman of Palm Hills Developments, one of Egypt’s largest real estate companies.
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