Top 15 black billionaires in the world and their net worth in 2025
The black billionaires in the world and their net worth in 2025 show how far determination can go. Aliko Dangote remains the richest black man in Africa. Oprah Winfrey is a global media icon. This list highlights their wealth, businesses, and achievements.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Top 15 black billionaires in the world and their net worth in 2025
- Who are the top 10 black billionaires in the world?
- Which country has the most black billionaires?
- Who are the richest black people in the world 2025?
- Who is richer, Tyler Perry or Oprah Winfrey?
- How many black billionaires are there?
- Who is the richest black man in history?
- Who is the youngest black billionaire?
- What about the top 20 richest black men in the world?
- Who was the first black billionaire?
- Who is the youngest billionaire in Africa?
Key takeaways
- Aliko Dangote is the richest black billionaire in 2025 with a net worth of $23.9 billion.
- The list includes entrepreneurs, investors, entertainers, and athletes who built vast empires.
- This list of black billionaires in the world and their net worth in 2025 reflects both self-made success and generational wealth.
Top 15 black billionaires in the world and their net worth in 2025
Black billionaires make up less than 1% of all billionaires in the world. According to Forbes, 14 of the 15 are self-made. They built their wealth from the ground up. See the full list below. This list was compiled using Forbes' list of The World's Black Billionaires 2025.
| Rank | Billionaire | Net worth |
| 1 | Aliko Dangote | $23.9 billion |
| 2 | David Steward | $11.4 billion |
| 3 | Robert F. Smith | $10.8 billion |
| 4 | Alexander Karp | $8.4 billion |
| 5 | Mike Adenuga | $6.8 billion |
| 6 | Abdulsamad Rabiu | $5.1 billion |
| 7 | Michael Jordan | $3.5 billion |
| 8 | Patrice Motsepe | $3 billion |
| 9 | Oprah Winfrey | $3 billion |
| 10 | Jay-Z | $2.5 billion |
| 11 | Adebayo Ogunlesi | $2.2 billion |
| 12 | Magic Johnson | $1.5 billion |
| 13 | Femi Otedola | $1.5 billion |
| 14 | Tope Awotona | $1.4 billion |
| 15 | Tyler Perry | $1.4 billion |
Black people have shown that it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve financial success. Despite the odds, many have built great wealth and influence. The list below is from Forbes’s list of black billionaires. It is arranged in descending order of net worth.
15. Tyler Perry
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 55 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $1.4 billion
- Source of wealth: Movies, television
- Nationality: American
Tyler Perry is a celebrated filmmaker, actor, and entrepreneur. He became a billionaire in 2020, largely through his hit "Madea" franchise and other projects. Perry owns a major studio in Atlanta and a stake in BET+.
14. Tope Awotona
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 53 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $1.4 billion
- Source of wealth: Software
- Nationality: American
Tope Awotona is the founder of Calendly, a widely used scheduling software. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he later moved to the United States. His company was valued at $3 billion by private investors in 2021.
13. Femi Otedola
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 62 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $1.5 billion
- Source of wealth: Energy, utilities
- Nationality: Nigerian
Femi Otedola built his wealth through investments in the energy sector. He is the chairman and majority owner of Geregu Power. His ventures have positioned him among the richest black men in the world.
12. Magic Johnson
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 66 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $1.5 billion
- Source of wealth: Basketball, investments
- Nationality: American
Magic Johnson turned his NBA fame into a business empire. He owns stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Commanders. His biggest fortune comes from Equitrust, a life insurance company.
11. Adebayo Ogunlesi
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 71 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $2.2 billion
- Source of wealth: Private equity
- Nationality: American
Adebayo Ogunlesi is the chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners. His firm was acquired by BlackRock in a $12.5 billion deal. He is one of the most influential black billionaires in finance.
10. Jay-Z
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 55 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $2.5 billion
- Source of wealth: Music
- Nationality: American
Jay-Z is the first hip-hop billionaire. He made his fortune through music, fashion, and liquor brands. With 25 Grammy Awards, the rapper is both a cultural icon and a business mogul.
9. Oprah Winfrey
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 71 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $3 billion
- Source of wealth: TV shows
- Nationality: American
Oprah Winfrey rose to fame through her long-running talk show. She built a media empire that includes OWN and other business investments. Today, she remains one of the richest black women in the world.
8. Patrice Motsepe
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 63 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $3 billion
- Source of wealth: Mining
- Nationality: South African
Patrice Motsepe is the founder of African Rainbow Minerals. He was the first black African to appear on Forbes’ billionaire list. His fortune comes from mining operations in Africa and Malaysia. He is among the richest South Africans.
7. Michael Jordan
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 62 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $3.5 billion
- Source of wealth: Charlotte Hornets, endorsements
- Nationality: American
Michael Jordan is regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. His Nike partnership and other endorsements earned him billions. He sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, adding greatly to his wealth.
6. Abdulsamad Rabiu
Source: Facebook
- Age: 65 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $5.1 billion
- Source of wealth: Cement, sugar
- Nationality: Nigerian
Abdulsamad Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group. The conglomerate is active in cement, sugar, and real estate. His philanthropic efforts support education and health initiatives across Africa.
5. Mike Adenuga
Source: Facebook
- Age: 72 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $6.8 billion
- Source of wealth: Telecom, oil
- Nationality: Nigerian
Mike Adenuga made his first fortune as a commodities trader. He later built Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator. He also owns Conoil, an oil exploration company. He is among the richest people in Africa.
4. Alexander Karp
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 57 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $8.4 billion
- Source of wealth: Software firm
- Nationality: U.S.
Alexander Karp co-founded Palantir Technologies, a data analytics firm. Its clients include the U.S. government and major corporations. Palantir’s growth has made Karp one of the richest black billionaires in the world.
3. Robert F. Smith
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 62 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $10.8 billion
- Source of wealth: Private equity
- Nationality: American
Robert F. Smith founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000. The firm manages over $100 billion in assets. He is one of the most powerful figures in the private equity world.
2. David Steward
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 73 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $11.4 billion
- Source of wealth: IT provider
- Nationality: American
David Steward co-founded World Wide Technology in 1990. The company provides IT services to global corporations. Today, it generates over $20 billion in revenue.
1. Aliko Dangote
Source: Getty Images
- Age: 68 years (as of 2025)
- Net worth: $23.9 billion
- Source of wealth: Cement, sugar
- Nationality: Nigerian
Aliko Dangote remains the richest black man in the world. His Dangote Refinery began operating in 2024 after 11 years of development. The refinery boosted his net worth by over $10 billion in one year.
Who are the top 10 black billionaires in the world?
The list includes Aliko Dangote, David Steward, Robert F. Smith, Alexander Karp, Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Michael Jordan, Patrice Motsepe, Oprah Winfrey, and Jay-Z.
Which country has the most black billionaires?
The United States has the most black billionaires, followed by Nigeria.
Who are the richest black people in the world 2025?
The richest black people in the world in 2025 include Aliko Dangote, David Steward, Robert F. Smith, Alexander Karp, Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Michael Jordan, Patrice Motsepe, Oprah Winfrey, and Jay-Z. The richest of them all is Aliko Dangote, with a net worth of $23.9 billion.
Who is richer, Tyler Perry or Oprah Winfrey?
Oprah Winfrey is richer than Tyler Perry. Oprah has a net worth of $3 billion, while Perry’s is $1.4 billion.
How many black billionaires are there?
In 2025, there are 23 black billionaires featured on the Forbes list worldwide. This includes entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, and investors from the United States, Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries.
Who is the richest black man in history?
Aliko Dangote is widely considered the richest black man in history. His fortune continues to grow, especially with the success of his refinery project.
Who is the youngest black billionaire?
Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, is one of the youngest black billionaires on the 2025 list. He is 44 years old. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he now holds U.S. citizenship and built his wealth through software.
What about the top 20 richest black men in the world?
The top 20 black billionaires in the world and their net worth vary yearly. In 2025, Forbes recognized 23 black billionaires globally, including entrepreneurs, athletes, and entertainers.
Who was the first black billionaire?
Johnson is an American entrepreneur, media magnate, executive, philanthropist, and investor. He is the former majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. He became the first black American billionaire in 2001.
Who is the youngest billionaire in Africa?
The youngest billionaire in Africa is Mohammed “Mo” Dewji. He is 49 years old. He is a Tanzanian businessman and former politician. He owns MeTL Group, a major conglomerate. As of 2025, his net worth is approximately $2.2 billion.
Above are the top 15 black billionaires in the world and their net worth in 2025. Across age, geographical locations, industries, and backgrounds, these remarkable men and women have proved that success is possible despite challenges. They have paved the way and inspired future generations to follow.
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