South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria have emerged as the dominant countries on the continent’s wealth ladder, according to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires Index.

As monitored by PUNCH Online on Saturday, the ranking shows that South Africa leads with seven billionaires, while Egypt follows with five, and Nigeria holds four spots on the prestigious list.

Nigeria’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, remains Africa’s wealthiest with a fortune of $24.4bn, driven largely by his cement and sugar businesses.

He is trailed by fellow industrialist, Abdulsamad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group, whose net worth stands at $7.2bn.

Telecom and oil magnate, Mike Adenuga, follows with $6.3bn, while energy investor, Femi Otedola, rounds off Nigeria’s list with $1.5bn.

In South Africa, luxury goods tycoon, Johann Rupert, tops the chart at $13.2bn, followed by former diamond boss, Nicky Oppenheimer, with $10.4bn.

Others include Koos Bekker with $3.8bn, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe with $3.4bn, banker, Michiel le Roux with $2.7bn, Jannie Mouton and family with $1.9bn, and retail investor, Christoffel Wiese with $1.7bn.

Egypt’s wealthy cohort is headlined by Nassef Sawiris ($8.8bn) and Naguib Sawiris ($5.0bn).

The Mansour brothers; Mohamed ($3.4bn), Youssef ($1.4bn), and Yasseen ($1.2bn), complete the country’s strong showing.

Beyond the three dominant nations, Eswatini’s Nathan Kirsh holds a net worth of $8.0bn.

Morocco contributes three names; Othman Benjelloun & family ($2.0bn), Aziz Akhannouch ($1.6bn), and Anas Sefrioui & family ($1.6bn).

Tanzania’s Mohammed Dewji sits at $2.2bn, while Zimbabwe’s Strive Masiyiwa has $1.3bn.

Breakdown by country (as of Saturday, August 23, 2025):

* South Africa – Seven billionaires

* Egypt – Five billionaires

* Nigeria – Four billionaires

* Morocco – Three billionaires

* Eswatini – One billionaire

* Tanzania – One billionaire

* Zimbabwe – 1

The rankings underscore how wealth on the continent remains concentrated in a few countries, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt dominating the billionaire landscape. (Saturday PUNCH)