At a Glance
- Mike Adenuga owns a 7.4-acre estate on Nigeria’s Banana Island, complete with nine duplexes, a helipad, a yacht berth, and underground garage for exotic cars.
- Seychelles leads the continent in luxury island ownership, with Félicité, Frégate, and North Island transformed into eco-resorts by billionaire investors and global hospitality groups.
- Islands like Vamizi in Mozambique and Eden in Seychelles are lucrative opportunities for eco-tourism, luxury villas, and private resorts in East Africa.
Africa boasts some of the most coveted private islands, where ultra-wealth and natural beauty converge.
Africa’s richest telecom tycoon, Mike Adenuga, anchors the list with his 7.4-acre estate on Banana Island, Lagos—featuring nine duplexes, a helipad, a private yacht berth, and more.
Over in the Seychelles, Félicité Island spans 652 acres and hosts the Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort under Singaporean investor Kishore Buxani’s 99-year lease.
Formerly owned by L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, the 388-acre D’Arros Island was sold to Save Our Seas Foundation for conservation.
North Island (500 acres) and Frégate Island (512 acres), both in Seychelles, are luxury eco-resorts managed by Wilderness Holdings and the Oetker Collection, respectively.
Mozambique’s 2,471-acre Vamizi Island—backed by a private consortium—features marine-rich reefs and Mandela’s development vision. Eden Island (138 acres), an artificial gem in Seychelles, offers villas priced at $4 million.
Here’s a curated list of some of Africa’s most exclusive private islands and estates owned by billionaires, detailing their size and unique features:
1. Banana Island, Nigeria
Owner: Mike Adenuga
Net worth and rank: Africa’s richest telecom tycoon with $6.2 billion
Business owned: Globacom
Acres owned & brief note: Mike Adenuga’s estate in Banana Island, Lagos, spans approximately 7.4 acres (3 hectares). This expansive property comprises nine duplexes—eight designated for guests and family, and one serving as his personal residence and office. Amenities include a 200-seat meeting hall, a church, a mosque, a private yacht berth, an indoor swimming pool, a helipad, and an underground garage for exotic cars. The estate underscores Adenuga’s status as one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals.
2. D’Arros Island, Seychelles
Former Owner: Liliane Bettencourt
Net worth: $44.7 billion (at time of ownership)
Business owned: L’Oréal
Acres owned & brief note: D’Arros Island spans approximately 388 acres. Liliane Bettencourt, heiress to the L’Oréal fortune, purchased the island in 1998 for $18 million. In 2012, she sold it for $60 million to be managed as a nature reserve by the Save Our Seas Foundation, emphasizing conservation and environmental protection.
3. Félicité Island, Seychelles
Owner: Kishore Buxani
Acres owned & brief note: Félicité Island covers about 652 acres. Singaporean real estate developer Kishore Buxani acquired a 99-year lease in 2013. The island hosts the Six Senses Zil Pasyon resort, featuring 30 villas and a spa that occupies a third of the island, blending luxury tourism with environmental sustainability.
4. North Island, Seychelles
Owner: Wilderness Holdings Limited
Acres owned & brief note: North Island spans approximately 500 acres. Purchased in 1997 for $5 million by Wilderness Holdings, the island was transformed into an eco-tourism resort with 11 private villas. It gained fame as the honeymoon destination for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.
5. Frégate Island, Seychelles
Owner: Oetker Collection
Acres owned & brief note: Frégate Island encompasses about 512 acres. Managed by the Oetker Collection, the island is renowned for its private luxury resort and conservation efforts, including the protection of rare species and restoration of natural habitats
6. Vamizi Island, Mozambique
Owner: Private Consortium
Acres owned & brief note: Vamizi Island covers approximately 2,471 acres. Initially developed with the support of Nelson Mandela, the island features luxury villas and is known for its pristine coral reefs, attracting eco-conscious travelers and marine researchers.
7. Eden Island, SeychellesAcres owned & brief note: Eden Island spans 138 acres and is one of Seychelles’ most prestigious artificial islands. Known for its high-end real estate, the development includes luxury villas, apartments, and deep-water marina berths. A prime five-bedroom oceanfront villa is valued at approximately $4 million, making it a favorite among affluent buyers seeking private island elegance.
