Nigerians and particularly those in the oil industry dominated the latest list of African billionaires, which put sugar, oil and banking magnate Aliko Dangote streets ahead of the competition.

 

The list of the continent’s 55 richest people, compiled by Ventures Africa magazine, also put Nigerian oil tycoon Folorunsho Alakija as the world’s richest black woman, overtaking US television show host and author Oprah Winfrey.

 

Dangote, who heads a conglomerate that includes a large real estate portfolio, has a net worth of $25.7 billion, putting him miles ahead of second-placed Mike Adenuga, his compatriot telecoms and Conoil who sits on an $8 billion fortune, according to the magazine.

Alakija’s $7.3 billion, gained through Famfa Oil’s 60% stake in OML 127 off Nigeria, puts her at number four, just ahead of Egypt’s Nassef Sawiris, who is involved in construction but also some US shale gas projects, on $6.9 billion.

Nigeria’s Prince Arthur Eze of Atlas Oranto Petroleum fame came in at number eight with $5.8 billion, while compatriot Cletus Ibeto’s interest in exploiting the country’s gas supplies is partly behind his $3.7 billion fortune, placing him at 11.

Isabel dos Santos, daughter of Angola’s president and said to have a stake in state oil giant Sonangol, came in at 13 with $3.5 billion, while Mohammed Mansour made 15 with $3 billion.

 

Nigerian oil player Benedict Peters, who heads Aiteo Group, made it to 17 with $2.7 billion, 10 spots ahead of compatriot and Sapetro boss Theophilus Danjuma on $1.8 billion.

 

Igho Sanomi, who heads Nigeria’s energy, power and construction company Taleveras Group, made number 38 on $1.3 billion, while compatriot ABC Orjiako, who is chairman of Nigerian independent Seplat, grabbed the number 41 spot with $1.2 billion.

Other notable Nigerian players with some oil industry involvement were Emmanuel Ojei on $1.2 billion, Mohamed Indimi and Ob Lulu-Biggs on $1.1 billion apiece, Sami Bello and Tunde Folawiyo, each on $1 billion.

 

Source: Upstreamonline