Among the world’s 21 black billionaires, 6 are Nigerians, and only 2 are women – Forbes – Businessday

BusinessDay
Chisom Michael
March 28, 2025
Forbes has released its annual list of billionaires, highlighting 2,781 individuals worldwide. Of these, only 21 are Black, making up less than 1% of the total. Among them, only two are women.
The list includes individuals from various industries, including finance, technology, sports, and entertainment.
Read also: 3 Nigerians featured on Forbes 2024 list of wealthiest black Americans
Here are the 21 black billionaires in 2025, ranked by net worth as of February 10

1. David Steward – $11.4 billion

Steward is the co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, an IT provider valued at $11.4 billion. The company serves clients such as Citi, Verizon, and the federal government.

2. Aliko Dangote – $10.9 billion

Dangote is Africa’s richest man and the founder of Dangote Cement. He owns nearly 88% of the publicly traded company and has stakes in salt, sugar, and flour manufacturing firms.
Read also: 5 Nigerians in the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list 2024

3. Robert F. Smith – $10.8 billion

Smith founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000, a private equity firm focusing on software and technology investments. He pledged $50 million to Cornell University and covered student debt for the Morehouse College Class of 2019.

4. Alexander Karp – $9.7 billion

Karp is the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, a software firm specialising in big data analytics.
Read also: Meet the richest black person in America, a 73-year-old tech entrepreneur

5. Mike Adenuga – $6.9 billion

Adenuga built his fortune through investments in telecom and oil production. He made his first million at 26, selling lace and distributing soft drinks.

6. Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.1 billion

Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in cement production, sugar refining, real estate, and shipping.
Read also: Meet the 10 youngest female billionaires of 2025

7. Michael Jordan – $3.5 billion

Jordan remains a financial powerhouse with sponsorship deals from Hanes, Gatorade, and Upper Deck, nearly two decades after retiring from basketball.

8. Oprah Winfrey – $3 billion

Winfrey has built a media empire and holds shares in Weight Watchers. She has donated over $100 million to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
Read also: Meet the 10 youngest billionaires in Nigeria

9. Patrice Motsepe – $2.8 billion

Motsepe was the first Black African to appear on the Forbes billionaire list in 2008. He is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals.

10. Jay-Z – $2.5 billion

11. Adebayo Ogunlesi – $2.3 billion

Ogunlesi co-founded Global Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm. The company was valued at $12.5 billion when it was bought out in 2024.

12. Strive Masiyiwa – $1.8 billion

Masiyiwa founded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in 1998. His philanthropy through the Higherlife Foundation has supported education for over 250,000 young Africans.

13. Femi Otedola – $1.7 billion

Otedola owns over 70% of Geregu Power’s shares and has investments in Zenith Bank and FBN Holdings. He owns properties in Lagos, Dubai, London, and Monaco.

14. Earvin “Magic” Johnson – $1.6 billion

Johnson made his wealth through business ventures, including investments in Starbucks and real estate. He became a billionaire in 2023.
Read also: Top 10 youngest female billionaires in 2024 – Forbes

15. Tyler Perry – $1.4 billion

Perry is a filmmaker and owns Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. His career spans acting, directing, producing, and screenwriting.

16. Tope Awotona – $1.4 billion

Awotona, a Nigerian immigrant to the US, founded Calendly, a scheduling software company. He previously attempted other business ventures that were unsuccessful.

17. Rihanna – $1.4 billion

Rihanna’s wealth comes from her Fenty empire, which has expanded beyond cosmetics to sleepwear and lingerie.
Read also: Meet Livia Voigt,19, world’s youngest female billionaire

18. Tiger Woods – $1.3 billion

Woods’ earnings come from his golf career and endorsements with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, and Rolex.

19. Mohammed Ibrahim – $1.3 billion

Ibrahim founded Celtel International in 1998, providing mobile services across Africa and the Middle East. He sold the company in 2005 for $1.4 billion.
Read also: Here are 10 Forbes billionaires reshaping the automobile industry

20. LeBron James – $1.2 billion

James has made his fortune through basketball, business ventures, and endorsements with Nike and Coca-Cola. He also owns SpringHill Entertainment.

21. Michael Lee-Chin – $1.2 billion

Lee-Chin, a Jamaican investor, built his wealth through the National Commercial Bank Jamaica and AIC Limited.

Chisom Michael

Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers.