Here’s a list of some of the most successful African business owners abroad, recognized for their entrepreneurial success and influence across various industries such as technology, finance, real estate, and fashion. These individuals have built global empires while maintaining strong connections to their African roots.
1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria)
- Industry: Manufacturing and commodities.
- Global Reach: While Dangote’s businesses are headquartered in Africa, his operations in commodities like cement and sugar export globally. His efforts in expanding his company to Europe and the Americas are notable.
- Accomplishments: CEO of the Dangote Group, Africa’s largest industrial conglomerate. Frequently listed as Africa’s richest man by Forbes.
2. Mo Ibrahim (Sudan)
- Industry: Telecommunications.
- Global Reach: Founder of Celtel International, one of the first companies to establish mobile phone networks across Africa. He sold it for $3.4 billion and now focuses on global philanthropy through the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
- Impact Abroad: His work is highly regarded in Europe and the Middle East for promoting governance and ethical business practices.
3. Elon Musk (South Africa)
- Industry: Technology, automotive, and space exploration.
- Global Reach: Founder of Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company. Musk is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
- Accomplishments: Though Musk left South Africa for the United States, he has consistently leveraged his background to drive global innovation in sustainable energy and space technology.
4. Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe)
- Industry: Telecommunications.
- Global Reach: Founder of Econet Group, which operates in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Masiyiwa has a significant stake in Liquid Telecom, which provides broadband services across multiple continents.
- Accomplishments: A billionaire philanthropist and one of Africa’s most influential businessmen globally.
5. Folorunsho Alakija (Nigeria)
- Industry: Oil, real estate, and fashion.
- Global Reach: Founder of Supreme Stitches, a globally recognized fashion brand, and Rose of Sharon, a real estate company. Her oil exploration company, Famfa Oil, has interests in overseas ventures.
- Accomplishments: Frequently listed among the richest African women.
6. Mike Adenuga (Nigeria)
- Industry: Telecommunications and oil.
- Global Reach: Founder of Globacom, one of Africa’s largest telecommunications networks. His businesses have expanded into multiple countries, including operations in the Americas.
- Accomplishments: Adenuga’s work in finance and technology has placed him among Africa’s wealthiest individuals.
7. Hakeem Belo-Osagie (Nigeria)
- Industry: Finance and telecommunications.
- Global Reach: Former chairman of Etisalat Nigeria and a significant player in Africa’s financial sector, with investments in international markets.
- Accomplishments: A Harvard graduate who has significantly impacted private equity and entrepreneurship globally.
8. Ismail Ahmed (Somalia)
- Industry: Fintech.
- Global Reach: Founder of WorldRemit, a global leader in online remittance services. His company enables Africans abroad to send money home more efficiently.
- Accomplishments: A pioneer in digitizing remittance systems, creating convenience for African diaspora communities worldwide.
9. Adebayo Ogunlesi (Nigeria)
- Industry: Investment and infrastructure.
- Global Reach: Chairman and managing partner of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm with billions in assets under management, including airports in the UK (e.g., London Gatwick).
- Accomplishments: Known as “The Man Who Bought Gatwick Airport.”
10. Mohammed “Mo” Dewji (Tanzania)
- Industry: Manufacturing and distribution.
- Global Reach: CEO of MeTL Group, which operates across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
- Accomplishments: Africa’s youngest billionaire, recognized for expanding his family business into a multinational conglomerate.
11. Ola Orekunrin Brown (Nigeria)
- Industry: Healthcare and finance.
- Global Reach: Founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, Africa’s first air ambulance service, with partnerships and recognition in Europe and the United States.
- Accomplishments: A trained medical doctor and entrepreneur, Brown has made significant strides in health innovation globally.
12. Ebele Okobi (Nigeria)
- Industry: Technology and public policy.
- Global Reach: Vice President of Public Policy for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at Meta (formerly Facebook).
- Accomplishments: A key figure shaping global digital policy and technology development for African markets.
13. Tunde Kehinde (Nigeria)
- Industry: Logistics and fintech.
- Global Reach: Co-founder of Jumia, Africa’s largest e-commerce platform, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Kehinde later founded Lidya, a digital financial services company expanding into Europe.
- Accomplishments: Recognized as a leading innovator in technology and logistics.
14. Ashish Thakkar (Uganda)
- Industry: Real estate and banking.
- Global Reach: Founder of Mara Group, a conglomerate with operations in technology, banking, and real estate across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
- Accomplishments: Known as Africa’s youngest billionaire at one point.
15. Samuel Esson Jonah (Ghana)
- Industry: Mining and finance.
- Global Reach: Former CEO of AngloGold Ashanti and an influential businessman in Africa’s mining sector. Jonah has global investments in mining and agriculture.
- Accomplishments: One of Ghana’s wealthiest and most influential business figures.
These individuals exemplify African excellence and have leveraged their talents, resources, and networks to succeed on a global scale
