Africa hosts some of the world’s most powerful and wealthy women, and the top 5 richest women in Africa wield significant influence across various industries, including oil, banking, telecommunications, real estate, and pharmaceuticals. Their fortunes do not merely reflect inherited wealth; they also show business acumen, strategic investment, and leadership in male-dominated sectors. Below, we examine their profiles and net worths.
1. Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
Net Worth: ~US$900 million – US$1 billion
Folorunsho Alakija leads the list as Africa’s richest woman, building her wealth through oil, real estate, and fashion. She heads Famfa Oil and holds a stake in the lucrative Agbami oil field. Additionally, she owns prime real estate via her Dayspring Property and Rose of Sharon Group. Her philanthropic work through the Rose of Sharon Foundation also elevates her public profile.
2. Isabel dos Santos (Angola)
Net Worth: ~ US$ 500 million – US$2 billion
Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos, amassed a significant portion of her wealth through investments in telecommunications, banking, and oil. She held major shares in Unitel and Banco BIC, and leveraged political connections in Angola. However, her fortune remains controversial due to legal disputes and state actions. She was once the richest woman in Africa but due to her legal issues and freezing of some of her assets, her net worth took a drop.
3. Tata Poku Diaby (Ghana / Côte d’Ivoire)
Net Worth: ~US$780 million estimated
Patricia “Tata” Poku Diaby earned her fortune in cocoa and agribusiness. She runs Plot Enterprises, one of Africa’s largest cocoa exporters. She also invests in real estate and other sectors. Her rise underscores how agricultural value chains remain a powerful wealth vehicle.
4. Lynette Saltzman (South Africa)
Net Worth: ~US$400 million (or more, depending on valuations)
Lynette Saltzman co-founded Dis-Chem, a major pharmacy chain in South Africa, and holds a significant stake in the business. Her success in healthcare retail helped her build wealth in a relatively stable and essential industry. The Saltzman family also invests profits into diversified assets.
5. Wendy Appelbaum (South Africa)
Net Worth: ~US$200 million estimated
Wendy Appelbaum inherits part of her wealth from the Gordon family and leads the De Morgenzon wine estate. She also invests in private equity, real estate, and agriculture. Her portfolio spans from inherited assets to active management of wine and land businesses.
Conclusion
Because women in Africa often face structural barriers such as access to capital, gender bias, and regulatory hurdles, these top 5 represent both breakthrough success and persistence. Many started in sectors where women were underrepresented, turned inherited wealth into active growth, or expanded niche businesses into large enterprises.
Also, their net worths fluctuate based on currency shifts, commodity prices (especially oil and cocoa), legal disputes, and market valuations. For example, dos Santos’s wealth has been under scrutiny, and some assets were frozen in legal challenges.
Moreover, these women often channel a portion of their wealth into philanthropy, including education, health, and women empowerment. Their visibility encourages younger women to aim high in business and investment.
Bonus Read: Meet the Richest Nigerians in 2025 According to Forbes
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