Africa’s richest women are redefining the continent’s economic narrative, carving out empires across industries like oil, telecommunications, real estate, and retail. These trailblazing entrepreneurs and investors, from Isabel dos Santos in Angola to Folorunsho Alakija in Nigeria, have not only amassed immense fortunes but also reshaped key sectors, driving innovation and creating jobs.
Their stories reflect resilience, strategic foresight, and an unyielding determination to succeed in some of the world’s most dynamic and challenging markets. Together, they embody the growing influence of women in Africa’s economic transformation.
Contents
- 1. Isabel dos Santos – Net Worth: $2 Billion
- 2. Folorunsho Alakija – Net Worth: $1 Billion
- 3. Ngina Kenyatta (Mama Ngina) – Net Worth: $1 Billion
- 4. Hajia Bola Shagaya – Net Worth: $950 Million
- 5. Daisy Danjuma – Net Worth: $900 Million
- 6. Dr. Stella Okoli – Net Worth: $850 Million
- 7. Wendy Appelbaum – Net Worth: $260 Million
- 8. Wendy Ackerman – Net Worth: $200 Million
- 9. Irene Charnley – Net Worth: $150 Million
- 10. Bridgette Radebe – Net Worth: $100 Million
1. Isabel dos Santos – Net Worth: $2 Billion
Country: Angola
Industry: Investments, Telecommunications
Isabel dos Santos, Africa’s wealthiest woman, built her fortune through strategic investments in Angola and Portugal. Her portfolio includes stakes in Unitel, Angola’s largest telecom company, and Banco BIC, a leading financial institution.
She has also held investments in energy, media, and retail, such as Portuguese oil company Galp Energia. Despite legal challenges, including corruption investigations and asset freezes in Angola and abroad, she remains a symbol of entrepreneurial ambition across the continent.
2. Folorunsho Alakija – Net Worth: $1 Billion
Country: Nigeria
Industry: Oil, Fashion
Folorunsho Alakija is a self-made billionaire and a pioneer in Nigeria’s oil industry. She owns Famfa Oil, which has a substantial stake in the Agbami Oilfield, one of Nigeria’s largest offshore fields operated by Chevron. Before entering oil, Alakija made her mark in the fashion industry with her label, Supreme Stitches, which catered to Nigeria’s elite. Her diversification into real estate has further solidified her wealth.
3. Ngina Kenyatta (Mama Ngina) – Net Worth: $1 Billion
Country: Kenya
Industry: Banking, Hospitality, Media
Ngina Kenyatta, matriarch of Kenya’s powerful Kenyatta family, has amassed wealth through stakes in key sectors. Her investments span banking (NCBA), hospitality (Heritage Hotels), and media (Mediamax Network). As a significant shareholder in some of Kenya’s top enterprises, her influence and wealth extend across East Africa’s economic landscape.
4. Hajia Bola Shagaya – Net Worth: $950 Million
Country: Nigeria
Industry: Real Estate, Oil, Finance
Hajia Bola Shagaya has built a diverse portfolio of businesses, including Bolmus Group International, which operates across oil and gas, banking, and real estate. She has partnered with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and various global oil players. Additionally, her investments in luxury real estate, including high-end properties in Lagos and Abuja, have significantly contributed to her wealth.
5. Daisy Danjuma – Net Worth: $900 Million
Country: Nigeria
Industry: Oil, Politics, Philanthropy
Daisy Danjuma, a prominent businesswoman and philanthropist, is the vice-chair of South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO), an oil exploration and production company founded by her husband, General Theophilus Danjuma. The company’s assets include a significant stake in Nigeria’s Akpo Oilfield, operated by TotalEnergies. She has also been active in politics as a former senator, advocating for women’s rights and healthcare.
6. Dr. Stella Okoli – Net Worth: $850 Million
Country: Nigeria
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Stella Okoli is the founder of Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, one of Africa’s largest producers of generic drugs. Emzor is known for its affordable and accessible medications, ranging from pain relief to anti-malaria drugs. Her success in the pharmaceutical industry has made her a key figure in improving healthcare access across the continent.
7. Wendy Appelbaum – Net Worth: $260 Million
Country: South Africa
Industry: Wine, Investments
Wendy Appelbaum owns DeMorgenzon Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s premier wine regions. She has also been a major investor in South Africa’s financial sector, with stakes in companies like Liberty Investors. Appelbaum is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting causes in healthcare and education through her charitable foundation.
8. Wendy Ackerman – Net Worth: $200 Million
Country: South Africa
Industry: Retail
Wendy Ackerman is a co-founder of Pick n Pay, South Africa’s second-largest supermarket chain. As one of the driving forces behind the company’s growth, she played a pivotal role in expanding its operations across Southern Africa. Her wealth is largely tied to her significant shareholding in Pick n Pay, which remains a cornerstone of the region’s retail market.
9. Irene Charnley – Net Worth: $150 Million
Country: South Africa
Industry: Telecommunications
Irene Charnley is a former trade unionist turned telecom mogul. As an executive at MTN Group, she played a critical role in its expansion across Africa and the Middle East. She later founded Smile Telecoms, which focuses on providing affordable 4G LTE services in underserved markets. Her impact on Africa’s telecommunications industry has been transformative.
10. Bridgette Radebe – Net Worth: $100 Million
Country: South Africa
Industry: Mining
Bridgette Radebe is South Africa’s first black female mining entrepreneur and the founder of Mmakau Mining. The company has interests in gold, platinum, coal, and uranium mining. Radebe has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of black South Africans in the mining sector and has influenced policies promoting economic empowerment.
The stories of Africa’s richest women are not just tales of wealth but powerful narratives of resilience, vision, and transformative leadership. From building multi-million-dollar enterprises to breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, these women are reshaping the economic and social fabric of the continent.
They have turned challenges into opportunities, leveraging Africa’s vast potential to create jobs, foster innovation, and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs. As they continue to expand their influence globally, these trailblazers are not just symbols of success—they are architects of Africa’s future, proving that the continent’s rise is being fueled by the brilliance and determination of its women.
