Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the founder and CEO of Dangote Group, has regained the title of Africa’s richest person, overtaking South African businessman Johann Rupert.
As of August 5, 2024, Dangote’s net worth is $13.7 billion, surpassing Rupert’s $13.3 billion, according to Bloomberg’s billionaire real-time index. Dangote is ranked six places higher than Rupert on the list.
On August 2, 2024, Rupert briefly became Africa’s wealthiest with a net worth of $13.6 billion, equaling Dangote’s at that time. Rupert’s recent increase in wealth was due to a $134 million rise in his valuation, contributing to a year-to-date gain of $1.21 billion. In contrast, Dangote experienced a year-to-date decline of $1.53 billion, despite a small $27 million increase in his last valuation.
Currently, Rupert’s last valuation change is -$334 million, with a year-to-date change of +$875 million, ranking him as the 155th richest person globally. Dangote’s last valuation change is +$144 million, with a year-to-date decrease of $1.38 billion, placing him at the 149th position on the index.
Rupert’s temporary ascent as Africa’s richest was notable, given his earlier position earlier in the year with a net worth of $10.3 billion compared to Dangote’s $9.5 billion.
Rupert’s rise was driven by strong performance in his diverse investments, including the luxury goods company Richemont, which owns brands such as Cartier and Montblanc.
