Black Billionaires Break Records: 20 Power Players Now Worth $86.1 Billion Combined
Discover the 2024 Forbes list of the top 20 Black billionaires worldwide, led by Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote with a net worth of $23.9B. From tech to sports, see how Black wealth is reshaping global industries.
Edem Latsu Nukafu eljourno 
In a powerful testament to global Black excellence and entrepreneurship, 20 Black billionaires have amassed a combined net worth of $86.1 billion, according to Forbes’ 2024 World’s Billionaires List.
Aliko Dangote Leads the Pack
At the top is Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian business magnate, whose wealth has nearly doubled in a year. Now worth $23.9 billion, Dangote is the richest Black person in the world and ranks 83rd globally. His financial leap follows the completion of his $23 billion oil and gas refinery—Africa’s largest—an 11-year project built on former marshland in Nigeria.
“It was the biggest risk of my life. If this didn’t work, I was dead,” Dangote told Forbes.
A Global Rise in Black Wealth
While Black billionaires still represent just 0.8% of the 3,028 people on Forbes' global list, their collective influence is undeniable. These individuals are not only building generational wealth, but also reshaping industries from tech and finance to entertainment and sports.
Top 5 Black Billionaires (2024)
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Aliko Dangote – $23.9B | Cement, Oil | Nigeria
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David Steward – $11.4B | IT | USA
-
Robert F. Smith – $10.8B | Private Equity | USA
-
Alexander Karp – $8.4B | Software | USA
-
Mike Adenuga – $6.8B | Telecom, Oil | Nigeria
Notable Names and Newcomers
This year welcomed several newcomers to the billionaire club, including:
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Sheila Johnson – Co-founder of BET
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Herriot Tabuteau – Biotech innovator
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Junior Bridgeman – Posthumously recognized NBA legend and businessman
Additionally, athletes such as LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson continue to climb the ranks—thanks to strategic investments beyond their sporting careers.
“He didn’t waste his time just thinking about the game,” LeBron James said of Bridgeman. “He always had a business mindset.”
The Full 2024 List: Top 20 Black Billionaires
|
Name |
Net Worth |
Industry |
Country |
|
Aliko Dangote |
$23.9B |
Cement, Oil |
Nigeria |
|
David Steward |
$11.4B |
IT |
USA |
|
Robert F. Smith |
$10.8B |
Private Equity |
USA |
|
Alexander Karp |
$8.4B |
Software |
USA |
|
Mike Adenuga |
$6.8B |
Telecom, Oil |
Nigeria |
|
Abdulsamad Rabiu |
$5.1B |
Cement, Sugar |
Nigeria |
|
Michael Jordan |
$3.5B |
Sports, Endorsements |
USA |
|
Patrice Motsepe |
$3.0B |
Mining |
South Africa |
|
Oprah Winfrey |
$3.0B |
Media |
USA |
|
Jay-Z |
$2.5B |
Music, Business |
USA |
|
Adebayo Ogunlesi |
$2.2B |
Private Equity |
USA |
|
Magic Johnson |
$1.5B |
Sports, Investments |
USA |
|
Femi Otedola |
$1.5B |
Energy, Utilities |
Nigeria |
|
Tope Awotona |
$1.4B |
Software |
USA |
|
Tyler Perry |
$1.4B |
Film, TV |
USA |
|
Rihanna |
$1.4B |
Music, Cosmetics |
Barbados |
|
Tiger Woods |
$1.3B |
Golf, Endorsements |
USA |
|
Mohammed Ibrahim |
$1.3B |
Telecom |
UK |
|
LeBron James |
$1.3B |
Basketball, Business |
USA |
|
Strive Masiyiwa |
$1.2B |
Telecom |
Zimbabwe |
Conclusion: Black Wealth as a Global Force
From Lagos to Los Angeles, from Harare to Harlem, Black billionaires are defining a new era of wealth, innovation, and impact. These 20 individuals prove that with vision, strategy, and resilience, Black excellence isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving on a global stage.
As Dangote once demonstrated, sometimes it’s not about seeing billions on a spreadsheet—but about holding that wealth in your hands and using it to build a legacy that lasts.
Source: Forbes.com
