Forbes lists Africa’s power players

South African CEOs, chairmen and executives dominate Forbes’ list of the most powerful people in African business.
“These are the corporate titans and leaders who set the African economic agenda. Their voices are much listened to within Africa’s business and political circles, and through their resolutions and actions, they shape the economic future of the continent,” said Forbes.
Of the 20 listed businessmen and women, 12 represent South Africa, with Nigera, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt and Ethiopia being represented by top executives.
Naspers’ CEO, Koos Bekker, described by Forbes as “The Rupert Murdoch of Africa”, is listed for his company’s diverse interests in media and internet technologies, boasting stakes in global internet companies such as Allegro, Buscape, Tencent, Ibibo, Buzzcity – as well as an indirect exposure to Facebook through a Mail.ru shareholding.
Naspers also owns Africa’s largest Pay-TV conpany, DSTV as well as Media24, Africa’s largest newspaper publisher.
Nicky Oppenheimer also made it onto Forbes’ African billionaires list, where he was listed at being worth $6.8 billion. Oppenheimer is the chairman of the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds, De Beers.
Absa group’s CEO, Maria Ramos, and the world’s largest producer of steel, ArcelorMittal’s South African chief executive, Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita, are the only women who appear on the list.
Here are the most powerful people in Business in Africa:
- Marius Kloppers, CEO, BHP Billiton (SA)
- Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group (Nigeria)
- Brian Joffe, CEO, Bidvest Group (SA)
- Jacko Maree, CEO, Standard Bank Group (SA)
- Cyril Ramaphosa, Executive Chairman, Shanduka Group (SA)
- Raymond Ackerman, Founder, Pick n Pay (SA)
- Patrice Motsepe, Executive Chairman, African Rainbow Minerals (SA)
- Christo Wiese, Chairman, Shoprite (SA)
- Tony Elumelu, Executive Chairman, Heirs Holdings & The Tony Elumelu Foundation (Nigeria)
- Maria Ramos, CEO, Absa Group (SA)
- Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita, CEO, ArcelorMittal SA (SA)
- Nicky Oppenheimer, Chairman, De Beers Group (SA)
- Johann Rupert, Chairman, Richemont, Reinet Investments SCA, and Remgro (SA)
- Manu Chandaria, Chairman, Comcraft Group (Kenya)
- Naushad Merali, Chairman, Sameer Group (Kenya)
- Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi, Chairman MIDROC Ethiopia Investment Group (Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia)
- Onsi Sawiris, Founder, Orascom Group (Egypt)
- Strive Masiyiwa, Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless (Zimbabwe)
- Koos Bekker, CEO, Naspers (SA)
- Naguib Sawiris, Founder, Orascom Telecom Holding (Egypt)
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