Forbes has released its annual list of billionaires, highlighting 2,781 individuals worldwide. Of these, only 21 are Black, making up less than 1% of the total. Among them, only two are women.
The list includes individuals from various industries, including finance, technology, sports, and entertainment.
Read also: 3 Nigerians featured on Forbes 2024 list of wealthiest black Americans
Here are the 21 black billionaires in 2025, ranked by net worth as of February 10
1. David Steward – $11.4 billion
Steward is the co-founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, an IT provider valued at $11.4 billion. The company serves clients such as Citi, Verizon, and the federal government.
2. Aliko Dangote – $10.9 billion
Dangote is Africa’s richest man and the founder of Dangote Cement. He owns nearly 88% of the publicly traded company and has stakes in salt, sugar, and flour manufacturing firms.
Read also: 5 Nigerians in the Forbes Africa 30 under 30 list 2024
3. Robert F. Smith – $10.8 billion
Smith founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000, a private equity firm focusing on software and technology investments. He pledged $50 million to Cornell University and covered student debt for the Morehouse College Class of 2019.
4. Alexander Karp – $9.7 billion
Karp is the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, a software firm specialising in big data analytics.
Read also: Meet the richest black person in America, a 73-year-old tech entrepreneur
5. Mike Adenuga – $6.9 billion
Adenuga built his fortune through investments in telecom and oil production. He made his first million at 26, selling lace and distributing soft drinks.
6. Abdulsamad Rabiu – $5.1 billion
Rabiu is the founder of BUA Group, a Nigerian conglomerate with interests in cement production, sugar refining, real estate, and shipping.
Read also: Meet the 10 youngest female billionaires of 2025
7. Michael Jordan – $3.5 billion
Jordan remains a financial powerhouse with sponsorship deals from Hanes, Gatorade, and Upper Deck, nearly two decades after retiring from basketball.
8. Oprah Winfrey – $3 billion
Winfrey has built a media empire and holds shares in Weight Watchers. She has donated over $100 million to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
Read also: Meet the 10 youngest billionaires in Nigeria
9. Patrice Motsepe – $2.8 billion
Motsepe was the first Black African to appear on the Forbes billionaire list in 2008. He is the founder and chairman of African Rainbow Minerals.
10. Jay-Z – $2.5 billion
Jay-Z became Hip-Hop’s first billionaire in 2019. His wealth comes from his diverse business ventures, including music, investments, and liquor brands.
11. Adebayo Ogunlesi – $2.3 billion
Ogunlesi co-founded Global Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm. The company was valued at $12.5 billion when it was bought out in 2024.
Read also: Meet America’s richest black billionaires of 2024
12. Strive Masiyiwa – $1.8 billion
Masiyiwa founded Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in 1998. His philanthropy through the Higherlife Foundation has supported education for over 250,000 young Africans.
13. Femi Otedola – $1.7 billion
Otedola owns over 70% of Geregu Power’s shares and has investments in Zenith Bank and FBN Holdings. He owns properties in Lagos, Dubai, London, and Monaco.
14. Earvin “Magic” Johnson – $1.6 billion
Johnson made his wealth through business ventures, including investments in Starbucks and real estate. He became a billionaire in 2023.
Read also: Top 10 youngest female billionaires in 2024 – Forbes
15. Tyler Perry – $1.4 billion
Perry is a filmmaker and owns Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. His career spans acting, directing, producing, and screenwriting.
16. Tope Awotona – $1.4 billion
Awotona, a Nigerian immigrant to the US, founded Calendly, a scheduling software company. He previously attempted other business ventures that were unsuccessful.
17. Rihanna – $1.4 billion
Rihanna’s wealth comes from her Fenty empire, which has expanded beyond cosmetics to sleepwear and lingerie.
Read also: Meet Livia Voigt,19, world’s youngest female billionaire
18. Tiger Woods – $1.3 billion
Woods’ earnings come from his golf career and endorsements with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, and Rolex.
19. Mohammed Ibrahim – $1.3 billion
Ibrahim founded Celtel International in 1998, providing mobile services across Africa and the Middle East. He sold the company in 2005 for $1.4 billion.
Read also: Here are 10 Forbes billionaires reshaping the automobile industry
20. LeBron James – $1.2 billion
James has made his fortune through basketball, business ventures, and endorsements with Nike and Coca-Cola. He also owns SpringHill Entertainment.
21. Michael Lee-Chin – $1.2 billion
Lee-Chin, a Jamaican investor, built his wealth through the National Commercial Bank Jamaica and AIC Limited.
