Forbes names Tanzania’s Dewji wealthiest in East Africa

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Tanzania’s Mohammed Dewji has been named as the wealthiest businessman in East Africa according to Forbes in its 2025 ranking.

In Africa, he ranks 12th with a net worth of $2.2b (about sh8.2 trillion). His wealth, according to Forbes, grew by about $400m from $1.8b in 2024.

In Uganda, Dewji, the CEO of MeTL Group, has significant business operations. His MeTL Group operates in various sectors, including textiles, flour milling, and beverages.

The list, released by Forbes, places Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote at the top for the 14th consecutive year, with an estimated fortune of $23.9b, up from $13.9b last year. He is followed by Johann Rupert of South Africa with $14b and Nicky Oppenheimer and his family, also from South Africa, with $10.4b.

Sudhir Ruparelia is the only Ugandan businessman who has featured on the Forbes list. In 2019, Ruparelia’s wealth was estimated by Forbes to be some $1.2b.

Ruparelia's substantial wealth includes Ugandan assets in the region of $279m, including unencumbered land and buildings of about $47m and bank deposits of over $7m, and property in the United Kingdom owned with his family valued at between £4.5m and £5.5m.

According to Forbes, South Africa leads in number of billionaires in Africa this year with seven, followed by four each from Nigeria and Egypt. Morocco contributed three billionaires, while Tanzania, Algeria, and Zimbabwe each had one.

Other notable names in the 2025 list: Nassef Sawiris (Egypt) worth $9.6b, Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) – $6.8b, Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria) – $5.1b, Naguib Sawiris (Egypt) – $5b,    Koos Bekker (South Africa) – $3.4b, Mohamed Mansour (Egypt) – $3.4b, Patrice Motsepe (South Africa / CAF President) – $3b, Issaad Rebrab (Algeria) – $3b, Michael Le Roux (South Africa) – $2.2b,  Othman Benjelloun and family (Morocco) – $1.6b.