The 15 Richest Black People in the World

Much has been written about wealth inequality in Black communities. When you look at Forbes’ 2022 list of billionaires it becomes abundantly clear. It includes 2,755 entries, with only 15 Black billionaires. That’s a depressingly abysmal percentage, which is made even worse by the fact that only two of the 15 are women. Despite those rough numbers, we still want to celebrate the 15 richest Black billionaires in the world.

Forbes noted that it “used stock prices and exchange rates to calculate net worths.” Listed net worth as of April 25.

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1. Aliko Dangote: $14.5 billion

Nigerian businessman and Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote leaves the Elysee presidential Palace following a meeting between French President and French and African businessmen on October 7, 2016 at in Paris. / AFP / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

As the founder and chairman of Dangote Cement, Africa’s biggest cement producer, Aliko Dangote owns 85 percent of the company. In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, his recently opened fertilizer plant has become very successful, counting the U.S., Brazil and India as customers. There are also plans for an oil refinery to open later this year. And in case you’re wondering where we stand, the richest Black person in the world is No. 130.

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2. Mike Adenuga: $7.1 billion

A true rags to riches story, Nigerian businessman Mike Adenuga has come a long way since his days driving a cab while in college. His mobile network Globacom has 55 million subscribers, while his oil company Conoil Producing, “operates 6 oil blocks in the Niger Delta.”

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3. Robert F. Smith: $6.7 billion

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Chair of the Board Robert F. Smith speaks onstage during the 2019 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple Of Hope Awards on December 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights )

Vista Equity Partners founder Robert F. Smith is most well-known for a 2019 Morehouse College commencement speech where he said he would pay off the student debt of the entire graduating class. Per Inside Higher Ed, he followed through with the promise, paying off $34 million in debt. Vista holds $92 billion in assets, and has posted “annualized returns of 22% since inception,” making it “one of the best-performing private equity firms.”

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4. Abdulsamad Rabiu: $6.6 billion

Abdulsamad Rabiu owns 98.5 percent of BUA Cement Plc, which comprises his two companies Obu Cement and Cement Co. of Northern Nigeria. Cement may not be the most exciting or sexiest investment, but it’s clearly profitable. Construction and development seems to be big business in Africa.

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5. David Steward: $5.8 billion

David Steward is one of the most powerful owners of a major tech firm. He owns IT company World Wide Technology, which counts Verizon and the federal government among its customers. It’s past time to get more Black tech entrepreneurs in the game.

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6. Patrice Motsepe: $3.3 billion

As the first Black African to be featured on Forbes’ billionaires list back in 2008, Patrice Motsepe has his wealth in several businesses around the continent. He is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, as well as private equity firm African Rainbow Capital, which re-invests in Africa. Most importantly in a continent obsessed with football (soccer), is that he owns the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and was elected president of the Confederation of African Football in March 2021.

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7. Strive Masiyiwa: $3 billion

African telecom mogul Strive Masiyiwa’s Econet Group and Liquid Telecom have brought mobile networks and fiber optics to countries across the continent, including his native Zimbabwe. It’s really fascinating to see how tech and telecom has grown as an industry in Africa. It would be great to see more Black ownership in the industry here in the U.S.

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8. Oprah Winfrey: $2.6 billion

In this screengrab released on December 19th Oprah Winfrey during Global Citizen Prize Awards Special Honoring Changemakers In 2020 Shaping The World We Want on December 19, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Global Citizen)

From OWN to Harpo Productions to her deal with AppleTV+, media mogul Oprah Winfrey has worked in nearly every genre of the entertainment business. From breaking out as Sofia in The Color Purple to producing the upcoming movie musical, Oprah has evolved into a legit badass boss who has redefined the entertainment industry.

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9. Kanye “Ye” West: $2 billion

Despite his massive success in the music world, the majority of Kanye West’s fortune comes from his clothing and sneaker line Yeezy. The brand’s partnership with Gap has seen $1 billion in sales, and the two are now working on the luxury line Yeezy Gap Engineered By Balenciaga. I’m no fashion influencer, but do a lot of people look for Balenciaga at Gap?

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10. Michael Lee-Chin: $1.9 billion

Jamaica native Michael Lee-Chin has seen his investments in National Commerce Bank Jamaica and AIC hit ups and downs, but through savvy management and acumen he has seen his wealth rise to $1.9 billion. As Jamaica makes a push to become more independent, it will be interesting to see how the country grows financially.

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11. Rihanna: $1.7 billion

She sings, she acts, she creates billion dollar beauty and fashion lines. There’s nothing Rihanna can’t do. The Barbados native makes her first appearance on Forbes’ list with the majority of her $1,7 billion coming from her ownership stakes in Fenty Beauty and Savage x Fenty. Rih is expecting her first child with boyfriend A$AP Rocky, so she’s got even more reason to celebrate.

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12. Michael Jordan: $1.7 billion

His basketball career may be long over, but Michael Jordan is still making plenty of money off his playing days. His deals with companies like Nike, Hanes and Gatorade, as well as his ownership of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and a NASCAR team have taken him well beyond the $90 million he made as a player.

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13. Jay-Z: $1.4 billion

Jay-Z attends the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for DJ Khaled on April 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Jay-Z might be the definition of diversified portfolio. In addition to his media company Roc Nation, the “99 Problems” rapper also has investments in Armand de Brignac champagne, D’Ussé cognac and an extremely valuable fine art collection contributing to his $1.4 billion worth. And most important of all, he’s married to Beyonce.

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14. Alexander Karp: $1.2 billion

Data mining might be creepy but apparently it’s also profitable. Palantir Technologies co-founder/CEO Alexander Karp has the Department of Defense, FBI and the Danish National Police on his call sheet as clients, so if you don’t hear from me after this is published...

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15. Tyler Perry: $1 billion

Well I guess if you keep all the jobs on set for yourself and don’t hire anyone else, you get to keep all the money. Writer/director Tyler Perry has roughly 4,000 shows on TV and they’re all on BET+. In all seriousness, the unrelenting success of his library of movies continues to push him to financial heights. As we saw with his recent return in A Madea Homecoming it’s clear people will never get tired of seeing him or his signature character.

The 15 Richest Black People in the World

A look at the world’s Black billionaires and how they made their money.

1. Aliko Dangote: $14.5 billion

1. Aliko Dangote: $14.5 billion

2. Mike Adenuga: $7.1 billion

2. Mike Adenuga: $7.1 billion

3. Robert F. Smith: $6.7 billion

3. Robert F. Smith: $6.7 billion

4. Abdulsamad Rabiu: $6.6 billion

4. Abdulsamad Rabiu: $6.6 billion

5. David Steward: $5.8 billion

5. David Steward: $5.8 billion

6. Patrice Motsepe: $3.3 billion

6. Patrice Motsepe: $3.3 billion

7. Strive Masiyiwa: $3 billion

7. Strive Masiyiwa: $3 billion

8. Oprah Winfrey: $2.6 billion

8. Oprah Winfrey: $2.6 billion

9. Kanye “Ye” West: $2 billion

9. Kanye “Ye” West: $2 billion

10. Michael Lee-Chin: $1.9 billion

10. Michael Lee-Chin: $1.9 billion

11. Rihanna: $1.7 billion

11. Rihanna: $1.7 billion

12. Michael Jordan: $1.7 billion

12. Michael Jordan: $1.7 billion

13. Jay-Z: $1.4 billion

13. Jay-Z: $1.4 billion

14. Alexander Karp: $1.2 billion

14. Alexander Karp: $1.2 billion

15. Tyler Perry: $1 billion

15. Tyler Perry: $1 billion