Dangote is the only Nigerian who makes the Bloomberg Billionaires Index of 500 wealthiest people on earth

AFRICA's richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote has emerged as the only Nigerian on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index published this week that showcased the 500 wealthiest human beings on earth.

According to the index, which polls the net worth of the richest 500 people in the world, Alhaji Dangote, ranked 115th and was ranched as the richest African on earth. He is estimated to have a net worth of $17.8bn, up from $14.8bn the previous year.

A Bloomberg spokesman said: “In calculating net worth, Bloomberg strives to provide the most transparent calculations available and each individual billionaire profile contains a detailed analysis of how that person’s fortune is tallied.”

Dangote is the largest shareholder in Dangote Industries, which owns investments in cement, sugar, salt and fertiliser. Other Nigerian billionaires, including Mike Adenuga and Abdulsamad Rabiu, were missing on the list as their net worth fell short of American billionaire Buba Cathy, who placed 500th with a net worth of $5.83bn as estimated by Bloomberg.

Other Africans on the index included three South Africans Johann Rupert and family, who are worth $10.1bn, Nicky Oppenheimer with a worth of $7.80bn and Natie Kirsh, worth $7.15bn. Nassef Sawiris from Egypt is also among the African billionaires on the list with a net worth of $6.93bn.