Africa’s Top 15 Business Leaders Shaping Global Impact

Africa is home to visionaries, disruptors, empire builders and individuals who have transcended industries and borders to shape the continent’s economic future.

According to CEO Today Magazine, these powerhouses control billion-dollar enterprises, influence policy, and lead transformative innovations that are reshaping Africa’s business landscape.

From industrial moguls to tech pioneers and financial giants, this exclusive list highlights the 15 Most Influential Business Titans of 2025, whose impact extends far beyond Africa to the global stage.

Their leadership, investments, and strategic decisions are accelerating economic growth and defining the future of business on the continent.

Aliko Dangote (Nigeria)  

Founder & CEO, Dangote Group

As Africa’s wealthiest individual, Dangote’s industrial empire spans cement, agriculture, and oil refining. His $19 billion Dangote refinery, the largest in Africa, is set to revolutionize the continent’s energy sector. A global business leader and philanthropist, he remains a key force in shaping Africa’s economic trajectory.

Mohammed Dewji (Tanzania)   

CEO, MeTL Group

Tanzania’s only dollar billionaire, Dewji leads MeTL Group, a conglomerate spanning textiles, food processing, and agriculture across 10 African countries. A signatory of The Giving Pledge, he has committed half his fortune to philanthropy and remains one of East Africa’s most influential business figures.

Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe)  

Chairman, Econet Group

A pioneer of telecom and fintech innovation in Africa, Masiyiwa’s Econet Wireless has expanded across multiple continents. His ventures in renewable energy and digital banking continue to shape Africa’s digital transformation. He also sits on major global boards, including Netflix and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Prateek Suri (Africa)  

Chairman & CEO, Maser Group

Known as the “Technology Tiger of Africa,” Suri built the Maser Group into a multi-billion-dollar consumer electronics and AI-driven enterprise. With a net worth of $1.4 billion, he is spearheading investments in frontier technologies, mining, infrastructure, and AI across Africa and the Gulf region.

Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria)  

Executive Chairman, BUA Group

As Nigeria’s second-richest man, Rabiu’s BUA Group dominates the cement, sugar, and infrastructure sectors. His vast investments in ports, real estate, and agriculture make him one of Africa’s most powerful business figures.

Nicky Oppenheimer (South Africa) 

Chairman, De Beers Group

Heir to the De Beers diamond fortune, Oppenheimer sold his 40% stake in the company for $5.1 billion in 2012. He remains one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, with large investments in aviation, conservation, and private equity.

James Mwangi (Kenya)  

The Chief Executive Officer of Equity Bank.

The driving force behind Equity Bank’s rise, Mwangi transformed a small microfinance institution into East Africa’s largest financial services provider. A global thought leader in financial inclusion, his influence extends beyond banking into socio-economic development.

Isabel Dos Santos (Angola)  

Investor & Businesswoman

Despite legal challenges, Dos Santos remains a formidable force in African business, with interests in telecommunications, oil, and banking. Her investments have significantly impacted Angola’s economy and beyond.

Patrice Motsepe (South Africa)  

Founder & Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals

Motsepe’s mining conglomerate has diversified into financial services and renewable energy. As the first black African on Forbes’ billionaires list, he continues to influence South Africa’s economic landscape.

Koos Bekker (South Africa)  

Chairman, Naspers

Bekker transformed Naspers from a traditional media company into a global internet and technology powerhouse, with investments in Tencent and other tech ventures. His strategic vision has positioned Naspers as a dominant player in global media and e-commerce.

Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)  

Vice Chair, Famfa Oil

One of Africa’s richest women, Alakija’s business empire spans oil, fashion, and real estate. She is also a major philanthropist, focusing on education and women’s empowerment across Nigeria.

Mike Adenuga (Nigeria)  

Chairman, Globacom

A reclusive billionaire, Adenuga’s telecom company, Globacom, is Nigeria’s second-largest operator. His ventures in oil exploration and real estate further cement his status as a business titan.

Ahmed Ezz (Egypt)

Chairman, Ezz Steel

Ezz leads Africa’s largest steelmaker, playing a crucial role in Egypt’s construction and industrial sectors. His influence extends into politics, having served in various governmental capacities.

Youssef Mansour (Egypt)  

Chairman, Mansour Group

Overseeing a conglomerate with interests in automotive, consumer goods, and real estate, Mansour is a key figure in Egypt’s business landscape. His group’s partnership with global brands has brought international standards to African markets.

Othman Benjelloun (Morocco)  

CEO, BMCE Bank of Africa

Benjelloun has expanded BMCE Bank into over 20 African countries, promoting pan-African banking. His investments in insurance and telecommunications have further diversified his business portfolio.

Shaping the Future of African Business 

These 15 business titans exemplify the resilience, innovation, and vision driving Africa’s economic transformation.

Their ability to adapt, disrupt, and lead has positioned them as global power players and key architects of the continent’s future. Whether in finance, technology, industrialization, or energy, their influence continues to define Africa’s place on the world stage.

 

 

 

CEO Today/Chiamaka