At a Glance
- Christo Wiese expanded Shoprite into Africa’s biggest grocery giant, employing over 140,000 people and reshaping the continent’s modern retail infrastructure.
- Ivan and Lynette Saltzman’s Dis-Chem Pharmacies redefined healthcare retail in Africa, growing from one store to more than 300 outlets across the continent.
- Ramachandran Ottapathu and others deepened intra-African trade by championing indigenous supermarket chains that modernized supply chains and boosted local industries.
Africa’s top supermarket magnates have significantly reshaped the continent’s economic and retail landscapes, building formidable supply chains that drive GDP growth and regional integration.
Tycoons like Christo Wiese of Shoprite and Ivan and Lynette Saltzman of Dis-Chem Pharmacies have not only expanded their brands into retail giants but also contributed to millions of jobs across Africa.
Entrepreneurs such as Ramachandran Ottapathu of Choppies and Nigeria’s Tayo Amusan have deepened intra-African trade, while figures like Victor Maina and Simon Wachira have championed indigenous ownership in the formal economy.
Across Ghana, the Khubchandani family’s Melcom has strengthened consumer access through logistics innovations, supporting domestic industries. Collectively, these leaders have fortified Africa’s retail supply chains, localized value addition, and stimulated ancillary industries like real estate, transport, and agribusiness.
Their sustained investments have accelerated urbanization, modernized consumer markets, and anchored retail as a critical pillar of GDP contribution in nations such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Botswana. Their ventures are not just business empires—they are economic engines transforming Africa’s future.
- Christo Wiese
Net Worth: $1.6 billion
Nationality: South African
Supermarket: Shoprite Holdings (South Africa)
South African retail tycoon Christo Wiese transformed Shoprite from a modest chain of eight Cape Town supermarkets in 1979 into Africa’s largest grocery giant, with over 2,989 stores and about 142,000 employees across the continent. As former chairman and its largest individual shareholder, Wiese was instrumental in shaping Shoprite’s rise. Today, his 10.67 percent stake—makes him the second-largest shareholder and one of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange’s wealthiest investors. Beyond Shoprite, Wiese holds stakes in several companies, cementing his legacy as one of Africa’s most influential business figures. - Ivan and Lynette Saltzman
Net Worth: $1 billion as of 2018
Nationality: South African
Supermarket: Dis-Chem Pharmacies (South Africa)
The visionary leadership of Ivan and Lynette Saltzman has been the driving force behind the astounding growth of the Gauteng-based healthcare group since its establishment in 1978. Their transformative efforts have propelled Dis-Chem into becoming a premier retail pharmacy chain across Africa, managing a network of more than 300 stores. The Saltzman family’s profound understanding of both the retail and healthcare sectors has enabled Dis-Chem Group to expand its services, encompassing family clinics and wound care centers. With an impressive 29.3-percent stake, the Saltzman family’s influence on Dis-Chem’s expansion has positioned them as key players in the African retail landscape. - Raymond Ackerman
Net Worth: $500 million as of 2015
Nationality: South African
Supermarket: Pick ‘n Pay (South Africa)
Established in 1967, Pick n Pay has grown into South Africa’s second-largest supermarket chain. The Ackerman legacy within Pick ‘n Pay stores has left an indelible mark on the continent’s retail industry. Founded in 1967 by Raymond Ackerman, the retail giant has thrived under his leadership and continues its upward trajectory under his son, Gareth Ackerman, the company’s chairman. The Ackerman family’s stewardship has fueled Pick ‘n Pay’s expansion to more than 2,000 stores across eight African nations. In 2022, the retailer achieved an impressive 8.9-percent increase in revenue, soaring from R97.9 billion ($5.36 billion) to R106.6 billion ($5.84 billion), solidifying its status as a leading player in the African retail industry. - Ramachandran Ottapathu
Net Worth: $50 million
Nationality: Botswana
Supermarket: Choppies Enterprises (Botswana)
The co-founder of Choppies Enterprises, Ramachandran Ottapathu, holds a substantial 29.95-percent controlling interest in the Gaborone-based retail conglomerate. His leadership has been instrumental in Choppies’ expansive growth. With an extensive distribution network stretching across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Kenya, Choppies has positioned itself as a retail powerhouse. Ottapathu’s strategic leadership has been pivotal in the company’s success, offering a diverse inventory featuring global food brands and exclusive private-label products, making Choppies a significant player in multiple African markets. - Tayo Amusan
Nationality: Nigerian
Supermarket: Persianas Group / The Palms (Nigeria)
Nigerian property magnate Tayo Amusan has played a pivotal role in transforming Africa’s retail scene. Through Persianas Group, he has developed landmark projects like The Palms Shopping Malls, turning retail into a leisure-driven experience. Persianas has built a reputation for delivering premium retail, residential, and commercial spaces across Nigeria. Under Amusan’s leadership, the group expanded its footprint by acquiring 100 percent of Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited, operator of Shoprite’s Nigerian business. This bold move cements Amusan’s position as a key architect of Africa’s modern retail industry, blending world-class property development with strategic acquisitions to redefine consumer experiences. - Victor Maina
Nationality: Kenyan
Supermarket: Maathai Supermarkets (Kenya)
Victor Maina, founder of Maathai Supermarkets, is a self-made Kenyan billionaire with a fortune exceeding $1 billion. From humble beginnings as a hawker in Nairobi’s Marikiti and Muthurwa markets, he built a diversified empire spanning retail, real estate, construction, and entertainment. Maathai Supermarkets, launched in the early 2000s, operates 11 outlets, including in Nairobi’s CBD and Embu Town. In 2025, Maina unveiled the nine-story Wholesale Mall OTC in Nairobi, further expanding his footprint. His portfolio also includes Klub Image and Klub Liquid Cash in Thika. Maina’s journey from street vendor to retail magnate reshaped Central Kenya’s economy and modernized its retail landscape. - Simon Wachira
Nationality: Kenyan
Supermarket: Magunas Supermarkets
Simon Wachira, founder of Magunas Supermarkets, rose from hawking at Mukuyu market to building a retail powerhouse across Kenya, with outlets in Murang’a, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Meru, Kitui, and Nairobi. His customer-first focus, credit-driven sourcing, and embrace of the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” drive fueled Magunas’ growth, creating hundreds of jobs and empowering local farmers. Wachira further expanded into hospitality with Nokras Hotel and Nokras Riverine Spa. His deep-rooted values of hard work, honesty, and generosity shine through his community support efforts, notably during the COVID-19 crisis, cementing his legacy as both a business leader and a philanthropist. - Mukuha Family
Nationality: Kenya
Supermarket: Naivas Supermarket (Kenya)
Peter Mukuha Kago, founder of Naivas Supermarket, built Kenya’s largest retail chain from a single Rongai shop in 1990. His bold vision and strategic expansion grew Naivas to 106 outlets across all 47 counties by September 2024. The Mukuha family, holding a 70% stake, has preserved his legacy through partnerships with Amethis Finance, IBL Group, Proparco, and DEG, fueling growth while maintaining local control. Under family leadership, Naivas posted a Sh1.87 billion profit in 2024, modernizing through private-label products and digital innovation. The Mukuha Foundation furthers Kago’s community-driven spirit, funding education and healthcare in Nakuru and Nairobi. - Bhagwan Khubchandani Family
Nationality: Ghana
Supermarket: Melcom Group (Ghana)
Bhagwan Khubchandani, a seasoned entrepreneur with over 60 years of experience in Japan, Hong Kong, Ghana, and Nigeria, founded Melcom Group in 1989 alongside his sons-in-law, Mahesh Melwani and Ramesh Sadhwani. With a modest initial investment of $2 million, they established Ghana’s largest retail chain, Melcom, which now operates over 65 stores nationwide. The group has diversified into six subsidiaries, including Century Industries Limited, Crownstar Electronics, and Melcom Travel and Tours, among others. Bhagwan’s leadership philosophy emphasized customer satisfaction and community engagement, earning him the title of Ghana’s Greatest Entrepreneur of All Time at the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards. He passed away on January 25, 2021, at the age of 84. - Atul Shah
Nationality: Kenya
Supermarket: Nakumatt Holdings (Kenya)
Atul Shah transformed Nakumatt from a modest family-run store into East Africa’s largest privately owned supermarket chain. By 2013, Nakumatt operated 50 stores across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, employed over 7,000 people, and generated annual sales exceeding $650 million. The company was valued at approximately $400 million at its peak. However, rapid expansion fueled by borrowed funds led to financial instability. By 2017, Nakumatt faced significant challenges, including store closures, layoffs, and mounting debts. Despite efforts to revive the business, Nakumatt ceased operations in 2019, marking the end of an era in East Africa’s retail landscape.
