7 African billionaires pouring millions into the future of sports
Key Points
- Billionaires across Africa are transforming sports into vehicles for economic growth, youth empowerment, and global influence.
- South African Johann Rupert is investing in rugby and football, shaping a lasting sports legacy with strategic investments.
- Nassef Sawiris and Naguib Sawiris are expanding Africa’s football presence globally, from Premier League to youth development initiatives.
Across the African continent, billionaires are transforming sports into a force for much more than just entertainment. For them, it’s an avenue for economic growth, empowering youth, and expanding influence on the global stage. From rugby fields in Pretoria to football academies in Lagos, Africa’s wealthiest individuals are not just investing in sports, they’re using it as a vehicle for change, blending personal passion with a commitment to shaping the future.
South African tycoon Johann Rupert, with a net worth of $13.3 billion, has been deeply involved in rugby for years. Through his stakes in the Blue Bulls, Boland Rugby Union, and co-ownership of Mamelodi Sundowns, Rupert isn’t just building a family legacy in sports; he’s making strategic investments that are setting the foundation for lasting influence in South African and African sports.
On the football front, Patrice Motsepe, with a fortune of $3 billion, has expanded his reach far beyond his stake in Mamelodi Sundowns. As President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Motsepe is helping to redefine the role of Black capital in shaping policies and driving pan-African sports governance.
Then there are the Sawiris brothers from Egypt, who are redefining how sports investments work on the global stage. Nassef, Africa’s second-richest man, co-owns English Premier League club Aston Villa and is the driving force behind V Sports, with stakes in clubs like Vitória S.C. and partnerships in Major League Soccer. His brother Naguib, worth $5 billion, is building ZED FC into a hub for youth development, aiming to create a new generation of African football talent with global connections.
Nigerian telecoms mogul Mike Adenuga has been a fixture in sports sponsorship for decades. Through Glo, he’s poured over $25 billion into Nigerian football since 2003, cementing his place as the backbone of West Africa’s sports sponsorship landscape. His investments span football, golf, and grassroots initiatives, creating a legacy of support for local talent.
From Mohammed Dewji’s investment in Simba SC in Tanzania to Ibrahim Sagna’s role in the Cape Town Tigers, these figures are pushing African teams into the global spotlight. Meanwhile, Egyptian businessman Mohamed Mansour is making waves with his ventures in San Diego FC and the Right to Dream Academy, building bridges for African talent to shine internationally.
What sets these billionaires apart is their long-term vision: they’re not just investing in clubs, but in communities, infrastructure, and the future of African sports. They’re reshaping the continent’s sports ecosystem, creating a platform for future generations of athletes and sports fans to thrive. These billionaires aren’t just watching the game—they’re changing how it’s played.
Billionaires.Africa has compiled a list of seven powerful African billionaires who are making big moves in sports, not only for financial gain but to lay the groundwork for a future where African sports are a global force.
- Johann Rupert
Nationality: South African
Net Worth: $13.3 billion
Johann Rupert, chairman of Compagnie Financière Richemont and Remgro, has made significant strides in the sports world, particularly in rugby and football. As a co-owner of Mamelodi Sundowns, Rupert has helped transform the club into a dominant force in South African football. His influence in rugby extends to his substantial stake in the Blue Bulls Company and a 74 percent ownership of the Boland Rugby Union, aiming to strengthen South Africa’s rugby legacy. Beyond ownership, Rupert supports athlete development through initiatives like the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport. Rupert built his fortune in luxury goods and strategic investments, with a net worth of $9.3 billion, making him one of the top billionaires globally.
- Nassef Sawiris
Nationality: Egyptian
Net Worth: $9.5 billion
Nassef Sawiris, Egypt’s richest man, has made sports a cornerstone of his investment strategy. In 2018, he partnered with American billionaire Wes Edens to launch V Sports, acquiring then-relegated Aston Villa FC. Within a year, Villa returned to the Premier League and, under Sawiris’ stewardship, has risen as a serious European contender. Expanding his sporting footprint, Sawiris acquired a 46 percent stake in Portugal’s Vitória S.C. for €5.5 million ($6.2 million) in 2023, advancing his vision of a global multi-club network. His commitment goes beyond ownership: he is spearheading a major redevelopment of Villa Park, set to boost capacity beyond 50,000 by 2027. In 2025, following the UK’s abolition of the “non-dom” tax regime, Sawiris moved his residency to Italy and Abu Dhabi, while retaining his UK assets and football interests. Born into Egypt’s influential Sawiris dynasty, he built his fortune through NNS Group, with major stakes in construction, fertilizers (OCI), and now increasingly, sport. Today, he ranks not only as Egypt’s wealthiest individual but also among the top 10 Arab billionaires globally.
- Mike Adenuga
Nationality: Nigerian
Net Worth: $6.7 billion
Mike Adenuga may not own a club, but he dominates West Africa’s sports sponsorship arena—pouring over $25 million into Nigerian football since 2003, backing the Nigeria Premier League, CAF Awards and coaching salaries, while his Glo Soccer Academy grooms top talent at elite facilities in Dubai and Manchester United’s Academy and his Glo Golf Tour shines a spotlight on emerging golfers. As founder of Globacom, Adenuga has leveraged massive media and sponsorship clout to revive interest in West African football and accelerate youth development. In sports philanthropy and branding, no other Nigerian billionaire matches his playbook.
- Naguib Sawiris
Nationality: Egyptian
Net Worth: $5 billion
Naguib Sawiris, through his ZED Sports platform, poured EGP 1.5 billion ($29.4 million) into rebuilding ZED FC’s academy and facilities, transforming it into an award-winning talent factory—“Best Academy in Africa” and “Best in the Middle East” at the Globe Soccer Awards. He then extended the club’s reach globally by forging youth development ties with Aston Villa, Vitória S.C., and Japan’s Vissel Kobe, giving Egyptian prospects rare international exposure. While his brother Nassef pursued European ventures, Naguib stayed local, turning Egypt’s football infrastructure into a prototype sports-tech and training hub that exemplifies the future of African clubs.
- Mohamed Mansour
Nationality: Egyptian
Net Worth: $3.4 billion
Mohamed Mansour, with a net worth of $3.4 billion, chairs the Mansour Group, a diversified conglomerate valued at $6 billion. His sports investments reflect his commitment to youth development and community empowerment. In 2021, Mansour’s group acquired the Right to Dream Academy for $120 million, expanding its global football network across Ghana, Denmark, Egypt, and California. This initiative focuses on talent discovery, education, and social impact. In 2025, Mansour is set to launch San Diego FC, the city’s first Major League Soccer team, further embedding sport as a vehicle for positive change. His vision drives investments in world-class training facilities and professional competition, empowering youth across multiple continents. Through the Mansour Group, Mansour uses sport as a catalyst for social development, blending education, community engagement, and football to create lasting impact. With strategic investments in football academies and his new MLS franchise, Mansour is shaping the future of both sports and youth development globally.
- Patrice Motsepe
Nationality: South African
Net Worth: $3 billion
Patrice Motsepe, owner of South Africa’s powerhouse club Mamelodi Sundowns, has turned his passion for football into a major investment. Since acquiring the club in 2003, Sundowns have claimed multiple Premier Soccer League and CAF Champions League titles. Motsepe also serves as President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), further cementing his influence in the sport. With a net worth of $3 billion, the mining magnate built his fortune through African Rainbow Minerals before expanding into fintech, sustainable energy, and philanthropy through African Rainbow Capital and the Motsepe Foundation.
- Mohammed Dewji
Nationality: Tanzanian
Net Worth: $2.2 billion
Owner of Simba SC, Mohammed Dewji has leveraged his 49 percent stake to inject crucial capital, upgrade infrastructure, and stage international friendlies—transforming Tanzania’s football crown jewel into a bona fide pan-African contender. At 49 years old, the Dar es Salaam–based mogul boasts a net worth of approximately $2.17 billion. Beyond the pitch, he heads MeTL Group, a multisector Tanzanian conglomerate active in manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications, and consumer goods. This audacious playbook in sports mirrors Dewji’s broader ethos: marrying deep local roots with bold global ambitions.
Crédito: Link de origem