Despite the global coronavirus pandemic, Africa’s wealthiest are richer than they have been in eight years. As a group, the continent’s 18 billionaires are worth an estimated $84.9 billion–15% more than twelve months ago and the largest combined tally since 2014 when there were 28 African billionaires; the average net worth is higher this year due to the current smaller number of list members, Forbes found. Soaring stock prices from Nigeria to Zimbabwe lifted the fortunes of these tycoons, as demand for products from cement to luxury goods ticked up.

Forbes used stock prices and currency exchange rates from January 19, 2022 to measure the net worths. Billionaires from seven African countries made the list. South Africa and Egypt have the most, with five each, followed by Nigeria with three billionaires.

Our list tracks the wealth of African billionaires who reside in Africa or have their primary business there, thus excluding Sudanese-born billionaire Mo Ibrahim, who is a U.K. citizen, and billionaire London resident Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian citizen. Strive Masiyiwa, a citizen of Zimbabwe and a London resident, appears on the list due to his telecom holdings in Africa.

Net worths were calculated using stock prices and currency exchange rates from the close of business on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. To value privately held businesses, we start with estimates of revenues or profits and apply prevailing price-to-sale or price-to-earnings ratios for similar public companies. Some list members grow richer or poorer within weeks-or days-of our measurement date.

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