Ventures Africa, a Pan African publication, released a list of 55 African billionaires. Their fortunes total $143.88 billion. 3 indigenous Africans are in the top 20, including a woman with more money than Oprah Winfrey. 

The list of 55 African billionaires catches the financial world by surprise. No one expected the number to be this high. But the truth is this number is really an estimate. This list represents who wants their wealth to be seen.

With that said, it is a pretty interesting list. The first thing that stood out to me and the top 20 is the lack of representation of the indigenous African. One would expect a land full of indigenous Africans to have the majority of their wealthiest to be them, but it is not.

The three are number one, three, and four on the list.

1. Aliko Dangote $20.2 billion Industry: ManufacturingCountry Of Citizenship: Nigeria Age: 56 Marital Status: Married

3. Mike Adenuga $8 billion Industry: Oil, telecoms Country Of Citizenship: Nigeria Age: 60 Marital Status: Married

4. Folorunsho Alakija $7.3 billion Industry: Oil Country Of Citizenship: Nigeria Age: 62 Marital Status: Married

You might remember Folorunssho Alakija from our article on her surpassing the media icon, Oprah Winfrey, as the rights black woman in the world. You can read more about the 62 year old, oil billionaire below.

 VENTURES AFRICA – The combined fortune of Africa’s 55 billionaires is $143.88 billion. The average net worth of the members of this exclusive club is $2.6 billion, while the median age of the richest people in Africa is 65 years. The oldest billionaires are Kenyan industrialist, Manu Chandaria, and Egyptian property tycoon, Mohammed Al-Fayed, both aged 84. The youngest billionaires are Mohammed Dewji of Tanzania and Igho Sanomi, a Nigerian oil trader. They are both 38 years old. Nigeria, South Africa and Egypt lead the pack with the highest number of billionaires at 20, nine and eight respectively. Algeria, Angola, Zimbabwe and Swaziland only have one billionaire each.

Move Over, Oprah! Nigerian Billionaire Unseats TV Queen As The Richest Black Woman In The World

Excellent for those individuals who have gotten their share. What are we going to do to get ours?

Could we work together by using some of our trillion dollar a year spending power to network, build relationships, and do business with Africans throughout the diaspora?

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-55-african-billionaires-richest-woman-20503888