Last updated on September 25th, 2025 at 06:07 pm
Africa has an increasing cohort of women who are transforming traditional notions of entrepreneurship. By 2025, there were several female entrepreneurs that could boast of being billionaires or multimillionaires because they had made diversified investments in sectors such as oil, telecom, banking, fashion, and real estate. Their stories of success exhibit both resilience and innovation on a continent in which women face systemic barriers to financial and market access.
Africa’s Wealthiest Businesswomen in 2025
These women are not just wealthy—they are influential role models.
| Name | Country | Industry |
| Isabel dos Santos | Angola | Investments, Telecom, Energy |
| Folorunsho Alakija | Nigeria | Oil, Fashion, Real Estate |
| Ngina Kenyatta | Kenya | Banking, Hospitality |
| Hajia Bola Shagaya | Nigeria | Oil, Real Estate, Finance |
| Wendy Appelbaum | South Africa | Agriculture, Finance |
Not only are these women rich, but they are also great examples for young people to follow.
1. Maria Isabel dos Santos
A lot of money has been made by Isabel dos Santos through business, energy, and telecommunications. She has used her business sense to grow a variety of interests, including shares in large Angolan companies and holdings in other countries. Even though her wealth has been questioned, she is still a well-known person in African business and an example for women who want to work at high levels in corporations.
2. Folorunsho Alakija
She made a billion dollars on her own and is famous for her work in oil, fashion, and real estate. She started out in banking and later moved on to oil concessions, started the high-end clothing line Supreme Stitches, and put money into Nigerian real estate deals. Alakija also actively backs programs that improve schooling and give women more power.
3. Kenyatta Githa
Ngina Kenyatta, also known as “Mama Ngina,” has a lot of power in the business and hospitality industries. She is rich because she has put money into banks, hotels, spas, and media businesses. She also backs charity programs and projects that improve communities, which makes her an even more respected business leader.
4. Ibn Bola Shagaya
Hajia Bola Shagaya made her wealth through oil, real estate, and money. She started out in finance and then moved on to strategic investments, which helped companies grow in a number of different industries. Shagaya helps young women learn how to run a business, which is good for Africa’s business environment.
5. Wendy Appelbaum
Wendy Appelbaum got some land and money from her parents, but she also went into farming and finance to make her portfolio more diverse. She puts money into corporate social responsibility projects that help art, education, and community growth.
Many of Africa’s wealthiest women entrepreneurs in 2025 are focusing their philanthropic efforts on education, healthcare, and mentoring programmes.
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Frequently asked questions
Q1. Who is the richest woman in Africa in 2025?
Isabel dos Santos of Angola, who has invested around two billion dollars.
Q2. Are they self-made entrepreneurs?
Some are self-made entrepreneurs, such as Folorunsho Alakija, while others inherited their wealth but expanded it through business activities.
Q3. What sectors are most prominent in African female wealth?
Oil, Telecoms, Real Estate, Fashion, and Banking.
Q4. Do they give back to their communities through philanthropy?
Yes, many support philanthropy in health, education, and women’s empowerment.
Q5. Which country has the most wealthy women entrepreneurs?
Nigeria, with a number of names to consider, including Folorunscho Alakija and Hajia Bola Shagaya.
