Cat and mouse game as Rupert grabs top spot

South Africa’s Johann Rupert is yet again Africa’s richest man. This is hardly the first time the South African billionaire is holding the title.

For a little over a year now, Dangote’s hold on the top spot has been shaky, as both men continue to outpace each other. This sometimes could be a result of a steep decline in one’s net worth or a huge leap.

Bloomberg’s billionaire index as of yesterday, has Johann Rupert and Family listed higher than the Nigerian billionaire, Aliko Dangote.

Earlier last year, Dangote had a firm lead on the richest people’s ranking in Africa with US$20 billion, out-pacing the second place Johann Rupert by over US$7 billion.

However, by June, a steep decline of Dangote’s net worth to US$10,8 billion from US$13 billion, which had earlier fallen from US$20 billion, simultaneous with Johann’s jump to US$12 billion, marked the beginning of a cat and mouse game between both billionaires.

Dangote would eventually regain the title of richest African, but never by a commanding lead.

Since June, 2023, the margin between both billionaires have been so thin that at any given point any of them could be the continent’s richest person.

Today, with a net worth of US$13,9 billion, a last change in valuation reading +US$322 million and his year-to-date (YTD) +US$1,51 billion, Johann is the world’s 1 533rd richest person. Dangote, on the other hand has a current net worth of US$13,4 billion a last change in valuation of -$527 million and a year-to-date (YTD) -US$1,71 billion, making him the world’s 161st richest person.

Earlier in August Johanna Rupert became Africa’s richest man once more.

Then he had a net worth of US$13,6 billion, putting the South African business mogul two spots higher than Dangote, who ironically also had the same net worth of US$13,6 billion. — Business Insider Africa.