According to Forbes, there are 2,755 billionaires in the world and only 14 are black billionaires
Forbes compiles its annual list of the world’s billionaires based on an overview of financial data, including the most recent stock prices, currency rates, assets, and more.
The number of billionaires globally decreased by around 87 this year, with 34 Russian businessmen losing their positions due to their nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
Only 14 of the world’s approximately 3,000 billionaires are Black. That amounts to less than 1%. Only two of those 14 are female. There are eight Americans.
14 Black Billionaires in the World
1. $14 billion for Aliko Dangote
Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa, witnessed an increase in wealth from last year’s estimated $11.5 billion.
Dangote established and owns almost 88 percent of Dangote Cement, which is traded publicly. Additionally, he holds shares in publicly traded wheat, sugar, and salt production firms.
Also Read: Aliko Dangote: The Richest Man in Africa & the Richest Black Man in the World
2. Mike Adenuga $7.3 billion
According to Forbes, Adenuga, the second-richest man in Nigeria, he made his first million at the age of 26 by selling lace and distributing soft drinks. However, he made his money in the oil and telecom industries.
3. $6.9 billion Abdulsamad Rabiu
A Nigerian conglomerate with holdings in steel, real estate, steel production, port concessions, manufacturing, oil, gas, and shipping, BUA Group was founded by Rabiu.
4. Robert F. Smith ($6.7 billion)
Vista Equity Partners, a private equity company that Smith formed in 2000, is how he amassed his wealth. He gave $50 million to Cornell in 2016 (personally and through a foundation).
He graduated from Cornell. And Smith said in 2019 that his family was giving a donation to pay off the debt of the whole Morehouse College Class of 2019’s student loans.
Also Read: The Richest Black Man in the United States of America
5. $5.8 billion David Steward
The co-founder and chairman of the $11.2 billion information technology company World Wide Technology, whose clients include Citi, Verizon, and the government, is Steward.
6. Patrice Motsepe 3.3 billion
The first Black African to make the Forbes list was Motsepe. As the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, he amassed a billion-dollar fortune in 2008.
7. Strive Masiyiwa 3 billion
According to Forbes, Masiyiwa “overcame long-standing government opposition to launch mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in his home country in 1998.”
Through his Higherlife Foundation, he and his wife Tsitsi have given scholarships to more than 250,000 young Africans over the past 20 years.
8. Oprah Winfrey’s $2.6 billion
Winfrey has an extensive media, entertainment, and commercial empire, but she also has a relationship with Apple and interest in Weight Watchers.
Over the course of her career, she has contributed close to $500 million to charitable organizations, including more than $100 million to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
Also Read: The 7 Wealthiest Black Women in America
9. Michael Jordan ($1.7 billion)
One of the nine Americans on the list and NBA legend Michael Jordan still maintains sponsorship agreements with Hanes, Gatorade, and Upper Deck 19 years after quitting sports.
10 $1.1 billion Alex Karp
Co-founding and serving as CEO of the software company Palantir Technologies is Karp.
11. Michael Lee-Chin $2 billion
Lee-Chin, a native of Jamaica, built his fortune through investments in businesses including National Commercial Bank Jamaica and AIC Limited.
12 $1.7 billion Rihanna
Making her first appearance on Forbes’ list, Rihanna is estimated to be worth $1.7 billion because of her rapidly growing Fenty empire, which currently includes sleepwear, lingerie, and eventually, cosmetics. Teeny Weeny
13 Jay-Z, with $1.4 billion
In June 2019, Jay-Z became Hip-Hop’s first confirmed and successful billionaire, due to what Forbes dubbed a “sprawling and diverse empire.”
14. 1 billion for Tyler Perry
Perry is a screenwriter, actor, director, and producer. The media magnate also owns Tyler Perry Studios, which is situated in Atlanta’s historic Fort McPherson Army Base.