Strive Masiyiwa Secures Spot on Forbes 2025 Black Billionaires List
Zimbabwe is proudly represented on the global billionaire stage after Forbes released its 2025 list of the World’s Black Billionaires, with Strive Masiyiwa ranked at number 20.
Masiyiwa, the founder and executive chairman of Econet Group, has a net worth of $1.2 billion, placing him among 23 influential black billionaires this year.
Since establishing Econet in 1993, he has expanded the telecoms giant into Africa, South America, and Asia.
His philanthropic efforts through the Higherlife Foundation—supporting education, healthcare, and youth empowerment—have also cemented his global reputation.
A Harare-based financial analyst remarked:
“Masiyiwa’s inclusion is a reminder that Zimbabwean innovation can compete at the highest global level. His story inspires entrepreneurs across the nation.”
The Full 2025 Forbes Black Billionaires List
1. Aliko Dangote (Nigeria) – $23.9B | Cement, sugar
2. David Steward (U.S.) – $11.4B | IT solutions
3. Robert F. Smith (U.S.) – $10.8B | Private equity
4. Alexander Karp (U.S.) – $8.4B | Software
5. Mike Adenuga (Nigeria) – $6.8B | Telecom, oil
6. Abdulsamad Rabiu (Nigeria) – $5.1B | Cement, sugar
7. Michael Jordan (U.S.) – $3.5B | Basketball, endorsements
8 (tie). Patrice Motsepe (South Africa) – $3B | Mining
8 (tie). Oprah Winfrey (U.S.) – $3B | Media empire
8. Jay-Z (U.S.) – $2.5B | Music, business ventures
9. Adebayo Ogunlesi (U.S.) – $2.2B | Private equity
12 (tie). Magic Johnson (U.S.) – $1.5B | Sports & investments
12 (tie). Femi Otedola (Nigeria) – $1.5B | Energy, utilities
14 (tie). Tope Awotona (U.S.) – $1.4B | Tech (Calendly)
14 (tie). Tyler Perry (U.S.) – $1.4B | Film & TV
14 (tie). Tiger Woods (U.S.) – $1.4B | Golf & endorsements
14 (tie). Rihanna (Barbados) – $1.4B | Music & cosmetics
18 (tie). Mohammed Ibrahim (UK) – $1.3B | Telecoms, philanthropy
18 (tie). LeBron James (U.S.) – $1.3B | Basketball
10. Strive Masiyiwa (Zimbabwe) – $1.2B | Telecoms
21 (tie). Michael Lee-Chin (Canada) – $1.1B | Investments
21 (tie). Herriot Tabuteau (U.S.) – $1.1B | Healthcare
11. Sheila Johnson (U.S.) – $1B | Media & hospitality
