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Good morning from Billionaires.Africa.
Here is a brief on what we published yesterday.
Aliko Dangote has added $2.57 billion to his fortune since January, pushing his net worth to $32.5 billion and lifting him 13 places to 64th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — the only African inside the global top 70 and the wealthiest Black person in the world. Johann Rupert's Remgro followed with a strong set of numbers of its own: headline earnings surged 38.8 percent, the interim dividend jumped over 80 percent, and the Rupert family collected roughly R80 million in gross payouts.
Elsewhere, Tony Elumelu handed out $16 million in grants to 3,200 young entrepreneurs across 54 countries, Durban signed a deal to build Africa's first superyacht refit hub, and the Lulu-Briggs Foundation treated over 5,000 people in five days in the Niger Delta.
Top Stories
Dangote hits $32.5 billion, ranks 64th in the world A $2.57 billion gain since January, driven by Dangote Cement's continued rally on the NGX. He opened 2026 at $30 billion and has not slowed down since. Rabiu sits fourth on the continent at $12.3 billion, Rupert second at $18.9 billion, Oppenheimer third at $14 billion.
Remgro lifts dividend 80% as earnings surge, handing the Ruperts R80 million Johann Rupert's investment company posted a 38.8 percent rise in headline earnings for the six months ended December 2025, with stronger contributions from Mediclinic, Rainbow Chicken, and Heineken Beverages. Sustainable dividends from investees rose 34 percent to R2.43 billion.
Tony Elumelu awards $16 million to 3,200 young entrepreneurs The foundation's 2026 cohort received $5,000 each in non-repayable grants across all 54 African countries. Elumelu used the ceremony to challenge Africa's wealthy to do more, warning that youth unemployment is a political crisis as much as an economic one.
Deals & Moves
Datatec expands into Poland with NetworkedAssets acquisition Jens Montanana's Logicalis Germany acquired 100 percent of the Berlin- and Wrocław-based software specialist. Datatec carries a market cap of about R16 billion.
Durban seals deal to build Africa's first superyacht refit hub The city signed a letter of intent with Navigo to develop a 24-hectare superyacht precinct at the Port of Durban, targeting R1.9 billion in private investment and 2,500 jobs by 2030. Durban will also host the YARE Symposium in November — a first for Africa.
Profiles & Philanthropy
Mary Oppenheimer Slack: South Africa's richest woman and the horse queen She inherited half the Oppenheimer fortune and turned her passion for thoroughbreds into one of South Africa's greatest racing dynasties, from Wilgerbosdrift stud farm to a Royal Ascot winner.
Lulu-Briggs Foundation treats 5,112 people and performs 149 surgeries in five days Dr. Seinye Lulu-Briggs's 45th free medical mission brought 109 volunteers to Ogu, Rivers State — the programme's strongest numbers since it began in 2005.
This week's Investor Memo and Wealth Intelligence brief are available for Elite subscribers:
→ Investor Memo: Fuel-Starved Nations Flock to Dangote
→ Wealth Intelligence: Tony Elumelu — The Dealmaker Who Won't Stop Building
