Step aside, money moguls! It’s time to shine a spotlight on the richest women in Africa, who are rewriting the script on wealth and success. While you might be familiar with the big names dominating the “richest men” lists, these women prove that ambition and hustle have no gender.
From savvy entrepreneurs to industry titans, these women have built empires brick by brick, shattering glass ceilings along the way. You will be inspired as we embark on a journey through the net worth and inspiring stories of Africa’s richest women.
We’ll be celebrating their different paths to success, from self-made entrepreneurs who started with nothing to those who inherited fortunes and used them to empower others. Hold onto your hats, because these women are not just rich; they’re redefining what it means to be a force to be reckoned with.
1. Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
Forbes projects that her net worth exceeded $1 billion as of March 2023. Alakija is a businesswoman and philanthropist with interests in fashion, oil, real estate, and printing.
She is the Executive Vice Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited and the founder of Rose of Sharon Group.
2. Ngina Kenyatta (Kenya)
In Kenya, everyone affectionately knows her as Mama Ngina. Her wealth is quite impressive, estimated at a whopping $1 billion as of May 2022. Not only is she the mother of Kenya’s former president, Uhuru Kenyatta, but she’s also a savvy businesswoman with significant investments across various sectors.
From banks and media outlets to even the dairy industry, her influence extends far and wide. Whether you’re dealing with your finances, catching the news, or enjoying a glass of milk, there’s a chance Mama Ngina’s business interests might touch your life in some way.
3. Hajia Bola Shagaya (Nigeria)
Hajia Bola Shagaya is a powerhouse businesswoman in Nigeria, worth a huge amount of money—around $950 million!
She’s the boss lady of Bolmus Group International, a company with its fingers in many pies, from oil and fancy buildings to banks, and she captures memories through photography. She’s even helped run a big bank called Unity Bank Plc before. Pretty impressive, right?
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4. Isabel dos Santos (Angola)
Isabel dos Santos used to be the richest woman in Africa, but now it’s unclear how much money she actually has. Legal problems and frozen assets make it hard to say for sure.
Some experts think she still has billions (like $2.2 billion), while others believe it’s much less. She used to work in different businesses like oil, news, and phone companies, but now those are being investigated, and some of her money is locked up.
5. Wendy Appelbaum (South Africa)
South Africa’s top richest woman? That’s Wendy Appelbaum, with a cool $168 million (or 2.6 billion Rand) to her name.
Owning the fancy Demorgenzon Wine Estate and holding big positions in other companies, she’s a real go-getter.
But even with all these impressive achievements, it’s important to remember that women in Africa still have a long road ahead to reach equal footing with men in terms of wealth and power.
In a recent interview with Top Charts Africa on May 27, 2024, Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe opened up about the importance of criticism.
He emphasised that criticism, rather than being something to shy away from, is actually a valuable tool for self-improvement. Arukwe believes that constructive criticism can help us learn and grow as individuals.
“I love criticism and feedback because it helps you to become a better actor. You can’t be an actor if you’re not open to criticism,” he said.
Uzor Arukwe didn’t stop there.
He went on to say that actors, in particular, need to develop thick skin. They should learn how to accept feedback and criticism, even if it’s tough to hear and they don’t necessarily agree with it.
“An actor doesn’t need to love criticism, but they must learn to accept it,” he said.
Uzor Arukwe also shared his thoughts on what makes a truly great actor. He explained that it’s not just about delivering lines perfectly.
“There are too many factors involved. One, for me, is the ability to listen and react accordingly. Also, mastering stillness is important too. In this part of the world, we’re taught to react to everything and every situation. But, in reality, people don’t have to react to every utterance and situation. For me, the ability of an actor to attentively and honestly listen and be still is what makes a great actor,” he said.
Arukwe disagreed with the common idea that acting is just about memorising lines. He believes there’s much more to it.
“Acting isn’t really about the lines, but about how you perform in a natural way that makes people question if you’re acting or not,” he said.
Uzor Arukwe is a star in Nollywood who’s been impressing audiences for years. He first appeared on screen in the 2014 film “Unspoken Truth.” His big break came in 2019 with the movie “Code Wilo,” where he played Sergeant Tutu.
Since then, Uzor has racked up credits in a variety of Nollywood films, including “In Line,” “Sugar Rush,” “The Set Up,” “Hire a Woman,” “Kpali,” “Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke,” and “A Tribe Called Judah.” He’s definitely an actor to watch!
Nigerian Idol season 9 got even hotter yesterday! The remaining contestants battled it out on stage with live performances.
Remember the judges’ tough call last week? Lammy and Japh Kenti were tied for the final spot in the Top 10. Well, Lammy pulled ahead and joined the other nine singers who advanced.
Now, the competition is heating up with the official Top 10! Jennifer Ugomu, David Garland, Chima,Mira Clear, Gracia, Stevie, Chioma, Lammy,Lady Ruth, and Maio all took the stage.
They sang a mix of everything, from Harry Styles’ “Falling” to powerful hits like “Never Enough” and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.
The crowd went wild for their amazing vocals and stage presence! You can see all the performances yourself below. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite singer to keep them in the running!
1. Jennifer Ugomu
Jennifer absolutely stole the show! She belted out a powerful performance of Andra Day’s inspiring song “Rise Up,” a song that was nominated for a Grammy and is all about hope. Her vocals were incredible!
2. David Garland
David Garland turned up the heat with his performance. He took a surprising turn towards pop music and completely wowed the judges with his own powerful version of Harry Styles’ song “Falling.” It was an impressive and unexpected choice that left everyone speechless!
3. Chima
It was Chima’s night to shine! He took the stage and showed off his amazing vocal range with a soulful performance of Teddy Swims’ hit song “Lose Control.” This chart-topping song is a favourite online, and Chima absolutely nailed it!
4. Mira Clear
Mira Clear proved she’s a true songbird with her performance! She focused on every technical detail to deliver a powerful and controlled version of Sia’s inspirational song “Unstoppable.” It was a show-stopping performance that left everyone wanting more.
5. Gracia
Gracia brought down the house with her powerful vocals! She belted out an amazing cover of David Guetta and Sia’s hit song “Titanium,” a real dance floor banger from 2011. Her performance was energetic and unforgettable!
6. Stevie
Stevie delivered a beautiful performance! He showcased his smooth vocals, perfectly blending them with the gentle piano melody of “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman. It was a sweet and touching rendition of the song.
7. Chioma
Chioma stunned the audience with her breathtaking performance of “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. The song is a beautiful ballad, and Chioma wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable in her delivery. This raw emotion made her performance even more powerful and left everyone in awe.
8. Lammy
Everyone considers John Legend’s “All of Me” a must-have for any wedding playlist. It’s become a classic love song for couples everywhere.
On Nigerian Idols, Lammy delivered a show-stopping performance of the song, pouring his heart out with so much emotion that it captivated the audience.
9. Lady Ruth
Lady Ruth took on a huge challenge with her performance! She tackled Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love,” a song known for its high notes, powerful runs, and unique vocals.
Lady Ruth showed off her amazing technique as she hit all the right notes, from the high belts to the breathy whispers. It was a show-stopping performance!
10. Maio
Maio’s song choice was a bit different! He performed “Ojuelegba” by Wizkid. It’s a chill summer vibe kind of song, and Maio knew it was all about capturing the smooth, warm tone of the original.
He focused on staying perfectly on key and delivering a relaxed performance that had the audience swaying along. Even though there weren’t any high notes to hit, it was still a successful and memorable performance!
Popular Nigerian comedian AY Makun is facing mixed reactions online over his recent comments about feminism. In a post on his social media account (platform not specified) on May 26, 2024, Makun suggested that feminism makes it difficult for men to speak out about negative experiences in their relationships. This has sparked debate among social media users.
His post read,
“The feminism mechanism in the subconsciousness of most women against men who gathered the courage to speak up on the things they too go through in their relationships, has maliciously placed broken men on a dead-on-arrival list in modern day society. Women should also remember that they have friends, brothers, fathers, cousins, and uncles who are going through a lot in the hands of their gender.”
The feminism mechanism in the subconsciousness of most women against men who gathered the courage to speak up on the things they too go through in their relationships, has maliciously placed broken men on a dead on arrival list in modern day society.
This post by AY Makun caused a stir online, with social media users (platform not specified) offering a range of opinions. Some people strongly criticised his views, while others were confused by his statement. There were also those who agreed with his perspective on feminism.
An X user said to him, “Phewwww! What’s with the outrage? If you have personal matters, don’t drag all women along with your problems abeg.”
“What in the Chatgpt is this Tweet? So many words and zero message passed,” read another user’s comment.
Another user said, ‘‘A lot was spoken, nothing was said.”
“It’s infuriating to blame feminism for men’s struggles. Everyone deserves support and empathy, regardless of gender. Stop vilifying women and start addressing the real issues that might have broken your marriage,” said an outraged commenter.
A commenter who agreed with Makun said, “It’s selective Feminism for them . When it’s their family and friends, they cry foul but when not it’s fair.”
“They always see women as victims while neglecting the men most times, which is not equitable,” said another.