Online Reporter
Rupert, the continent’s second richest man behind Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, has had his net worth rise dramatically from US$13,7 billion at the start of the year to US$15,3 billion in April, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.
Rupert was listed as the 171st richest person in the world as of January 2025. By April, he had risen to 145th place, a significant improvement in such a short period.
According to Bloomberg, his year-to-date wealth growth is US$1,64 billion, with the most recent single-day gain of US$97,7 million. Rupert’s fortune grew particularly quickly in February, when it peaked at US$17 billion, making him, at the time, Africa’s best-performing billionaire of the year.
Then he had a Year-to-Date (YTD) change in net worth of +US$3,32 billion, compared to Dangote’s YTD change of +US$153 million.
His wealth reflects the strong performance of his luxury goods business, notably Richemont, which owns globally recognised brands such as Cartier and Montblanc.
Forbes published an article in March outlining the overall resurrection of Africa’s billionaire class, which provides a larger background for Rupert’s achievement.
The combined net worth of Africa’s wealthiest people increased to US$105 billion last year, up from US$82,4 billion the previous year. South Africa led the rebound, with seven billionaires, followed by Nigeria and Egypt with four apiece.
Morocco provided three billionaires to the list, with Algeria (represented by Issad Rebrab), Tanzania (Mohammed Dewiji) and Zimbabwe (Strive Masiyiwa) each adding one.
Johann Rupert attributes most of his 39 percent growth in fortune during the last year to Richemont’s good performance, despite headwinds in the global luxury business. — Business Insider Africa.
