At a Glance:
- North Africa’s richest families dominate telecom, finance, and energy across continents.
- Generational wealth and global deals fuel their expanding business empires.
- These dynasties shape industries, drive investment, and influence economic policies.
North Africa, a region rich in history and economic potential, is home to some of the continent’s most powerful business dynasties.
These families have built empires spanning telecommunications, finance, agribusiness, construction, and energy, cementing their influence across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Leveraging generational wealth and strategic global partnerships, they continue to shape industries, drive investment, and influence economic policies.
Here’s a look at the five wealthiest families in North Africa and their expansive business networks.
1. The Sawiris Family (Egypt) – $17 billion
Egypt’s most prominent business dynasty, the Sawiris family, commands a diversified empire across telecom, real estate, and construction.
- Naguib Sawiris ($7.35 billion) leads Orascom Telecom Holding, expanding into luxury real estate through Ora Developers in Egypt, Pakistan, Cyprus, and Grenada. His latest venture, Ali El Wardy, is Baghdad’s largest residential development.
- Nassef Sawiris ($8.84 billion) controls Orascom Construction Industries, a leading global engineering and construction contractor primarily focused on infrastructure, industrial and high-end commercial projects in the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. He and his brothers hold a 54.86 percent stake in Orascom.
- Samih Sawiris (850 million) as of 2015, he founded Orascom Development Holding, which has developed luxury resorts in Egypt, Montenegro, and Switzerland.
2. The Mansour Family (Egypt) – Over $5.8 billion
Operating in over 100 countries, the Mansour family’s conglomerate dominates the automotive, consumer goods, and financial sectors.
- Yasseen Mansour ($1.2 billion) is a major shareholder in Mansour Group and chairs Palm Hills Developments, holding a 10.83 percent stake.
- Mohamed Mansour ($3.4 billion) leads Mansour Group and founded Man Capital, with investments in Caffe Nero and global private equity.
- Youssef Mansour ($1.4 billion) co-owns Mansour Group, driving its expansion through strategic partnerships with General Motors, Peugeot, MG, and Caterpillar.
3. The Moroccan Royal Family – $7 billion
King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan royal family control a sprawling empire through Al Mada, formerly Société Nationale d’Investissement, with interests in finance, energy, mining, and agriculture.
- Attijariwafa Bank: Holds a 46.5 percent stake in Morocco’s largest bank.
- Managem: Controls 81.4 percent of Morocco’s leading mining company.
- Nareva: A key player in renewable and traditional energy sectors.
- Agribusiness: Owns 12,000 hectares of farmland through SIGER and Les Domaines Agricoles, focusing on citrus and dairy exports.
4. The Rebrab Family (Algeria) – $3 billion
Issad Rebrab and his family oversee Algeria’s largest private-sector conglomerate, Cevital, spanning agribusiness, steel, and electronics.
- Cevital generates $4 billion in annual revenue, driving industrial expansion in Algeria, Europe, and Brazil. The group has played a pivotal role in diversifying Algeria’s economy, strengthening industrial infrastructure, and expanding international trade ties.
5. The Benjelloun Family (Morocco) – $1.6 billion
Othman Benjelloun and his family wield major influence in Morocco’s banking and insurance sectors.
- BMCE Bank of Africa: Operates in 18 African countries, through its subsidiary, Bank of Africa, it also maintains strategic presence in Paris. Benjelloun, chairman and 27.4 percent stakeholder, has driven the bank’s expansion in trade, infrastructure, and SME financing. BOA reported a $277.8 million profit in H1 2024.
- FinanceCom: The family’s holding company spans banking, insurance, aviation, real estate, tourism, agroindustry, tech, and telecom, with Benjelloun holding a 25.5 percent stake.
Driving economic growth and global influence
North Africa’s wealthiest families are more than just financial powerhouses; they are key architects of economic transformation.
Their strategic investments, technological advancements, and international partnerships position the region as a critical player in global trade and commerce.
As these dynasties continue to expand their influence, their impact on Africa’s economic future remains profound.
