How Many Billionaires Are There in South Africa in 2025?
South Africa has seven billionaires as of the latest available data. This makes it the country with the most billionaires in Africa, followed by Egypt and Nigeria. Some of South Africa’s billionaires include Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, Koos Bekker, and Patrice Motsepe.
South Africa is known for its vibrant economy and abundant natural resources, making it a hub for wealth creation on the African continent. In 2025, the country is home to a select group of billionaires who have amassed significant fortunes across various industries, including luxury goods, mining, media, banking, and retail. This article explores the number of billionaires in South Africa, who they are, and how they built their wealth, based on the latest available data.
South Africa’s Billionaires in 2025
According to Forbes’ 2025 Africa’s Billionaires List, South Africa has seven billionaires who reside in the country or have their primary businesses there. This makes South Africa the African nation with the highest number of billionaires, followed by Nigeria and Egypt, each with four. The collective wealth of Africa’s 22 billionaires surpassed $100 billion for the first time in 2025, with South Africa’s billionaires contributing significantly to this milestone.
Below is a detailed look at South Africa’s billionaires, their net worth, and the industries that propelled them to billionaire status, based on Forbes’ data as of March 2025.
1. Johann Rupert & Family
- Net Worth: $14.47 billion
- Industry: Fashion & Retail
- Global Rank: 170
- Source of Wealth: Johann Rupert is the chairman of Richemont, a Swiss-based luxury goods company that owns iconic brands like Cartier, Montblanc, and Van Cleef & Arpels. His wealth is also tied to Remgro, an investment holding company with stakes in healthcare, insurance, and banking, and Reinet Investments, which manages assets in financial services. Rupert’s strategic investments and leadership in the global luxury market have solidified his position as South Africa’s richest person.
2. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family
- Net Worth: $10.46 billion
- Industry: Metals & Mining
- Global Rank: 272
- Source of Wealth: As the heir to the De Beers diamond empire, Nicky Oppenheimer built his fortune through the family’s 40% stake in De Beers, which was sold to Anglo American in 2012 for $5.1 billion. He has since focused on private equity and conservation through Oppenheimer Generations, investing in African startups and sustainable development. His conservation efforts include owning over 720 square miles of land across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
3. Koos Bekker
- Net Worth: $3.52 billion
- Industry: Media & Entertainment
- Global Rank: 1071
- Source of Wealth: Koos Bekker transformed Naspers into a global tech and media giant, most notably through a 2001 investment in Tencent, a Chinese internet and gaming company. By opting for stock options instead of a salary as CEO, Bekker significantly boosted his wealth. He also owns luxury properties, including Babylonstoren in South Africa and The Newt in Somerset, UK.
4. Patrice Motsepe
- Net Worth: $3.21 billion
- Industry: Metals & Mining
- Global Rank: 1191
- Source of Wealth: Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s first black billionaire, founded African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) in 1997, with interests in gold, platinum, and other minerals. His investment vehicle, Ubuntu-Botho Investments, holds a significant stake in Sanlam, Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group. Motsepe is also the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
5. Michiel Le Roux
- Net Worth: $2.47 billion
- Industry: Finance & Investments
- Global Rank: 1486
- Source of Wealth: Michiel Le Roux co-founded Capitec Bank in 2001, revolutionizing South Africa’s banking industry by offering affordable, accessible financial services. He owns approximately 11% of Capitec’s shares and has been recognized for promoting financial inclusion.
6. Christoffel Wiese
- Net Worth: $1.77 billion
- Industry: Fashion & Retail
- Global Rank: 2156
- Source of Wealth: Christoffel Wiese builtસ
System: built his fortune through Pepkor and Shoprite, Africa’s largest supermarket chain. Despite significant losses due to the 2017 Steinhoff collapse, he regained his billionaire status in 2022 through legal settlements and his 5% stake in Pepkor.
7. Jannie Mouton
- Net Worth: $1.3 billion (estimated)
- Industry: Finance & Investments
- Global Rank: Not specified
- Source of Wealth: Jannie Mouton founded PSG Group, a financial powerhouse with stakes in Capitec Bank, PSG Konsult, Zeder Investments, and Curro Holdings. His strategic investments in banking, agriculture, and education have made him a key player in South Africa’s economy. Mouton’s wealth surged in 2025, largely due to a 59% jump in Capitec Bank Holdings’ share price.
Emerging Billionaires
In addition to the seven confirmed billionaires, South Africa may soon welcome another to the list. Zak Calisto, founder and CEO of Karooooo, a fleet management and telematics company, is approaching billionaire status with his direct holdings valued at nearly $1 billion and beneficial ownership exceeding $1.1 billion.
Why South Africa Has the Most Billionaires in Africa
South Africa’s position as the continent’s billionaire capital is driven by its well-developed financial, legal, and communications sectors, as well as its status as home to Africa’s largest stock exchange. The country’s abundant natural resources, particularly in mining, have historically created wealth, while sectors like luxury goods, media, and banking have diversified the billionaire landscape. However, challenges such as high unemployment (over 35%) and systemic inequality raise questions about wealth distribution and economic reform.
Notable Exclusions
South African-born individuals like Elon Musk ($332 billion) and Patrick Soon-Shiong are not included in South Africa’s billionaire count, as they are listed as American citizens by Forbes due to their primary residence and business operations being outside Africa. Similarly, Nathan Kirsh, a South African who operates out of London with businesses in the U.S. and U.K., is excluded from the list.
Economic Impact and Controversy
South Africa’s billionaires play a significant role in job creation and economic development, with many funding philanthropy in education, conservation, and entrepreneurship. For example, Rupert supports small businesses through his foundation, Oppenheimer focuses on conservation, and Motsepe advocates for Black economic empowerment. However, their vast wealth highlights stark inequalities in a country with a high unemployment rate and persistent poverty, sparking debates about redistribution and taxation.
Conclusion
In 2025, South Africa is home to seven billionaires, with a potential eighth on the horizon. These individuals—Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, Koos Bekker, Patrice Motsepe, Michiel Le Roux, Christoffel Wiese, and Jannie Mouton—have built their fortunes through innovation and strategic investments in diverse sectors. While their wealth underscores South Africa’s economic prowess, it also raises important questions about addressing inequality and fostering inclusive growth. For the latest updates on South Africa’s billionaires, Forbes’ real-time billionaire rankings provide a comprehensive view of their net worth and global standing.
