At a Glance
- Dangote and Rabiu lead Nigeria’s push for sugar self-sufficiency through mega agro-projects.
- Issad Rebrab’s Cevital runs one of the world’s largest sugar refineries in Algeria.
- Jaswant Rai and Bernard Soi dominate Kenya’s fragmented sugar production landscape.
Africa’s sugar industry is dominated by billionaires and multi-millionaires who have built vast fortunes through sugarcane cultivation, processing, and related agribusinesses. These tycoons have played a crucial role in shaping the sector, driving growth, and promoting sugar self-sufficiency on the continent.
At the forefront is Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s wealthiest man, whose Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, producing over 1.44 million metric tonnes annually. Similarly, Abdul Samad Rabiu of BUA Group is pushing for sugar self-sufficiency through BUA Foods Plc, a key player in Nigeria’s agribusiness landscape.
In Algeria, Issad Rebrab of Cevital Group has revolutionized the country’s sugar industry with one of the world’s largest refineries, producing 2 million tonnes annually, significantly reducing the nation’s sugar imports. Mohammed Dewji of Tanzania’s MeTL Group has strengthened Tanzania’s sugar production by acquiring Mtibwa Sugar Estates, increasing output capacity.
In Kenya, Narendra Raval of Devki Group is revitalizing state-owned mills like Mumias Sugar Company, while Jaswant Singh Rai’s West Kenya Sugar has solidified his market position.
Additionally, Sudhir Ruparelia, Bernard Soi, Channan Chatthe, and Ahmed Ali Taib in Uganda and Kenya have contributed to sustainable growth, job creation, and economic development.
These top ten tycoons, chronicled by Shore Africa are shaping the sugar industry and driving broader economic growth by enhancing manufacturing capabilities and improving African livelihoods.
1. Aliko Dangote
Country: Nigeria
Net worth: $23.3 billion
A major player in Africa’s sugar industry, Aliko Dangote is the founder and Chairman of Dangote Group, which owns Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, the largest sugar refining company in sub-Saharan Africa. The company operates refineries in Nigeria with a production capacity exceeding 1.44 million metric tonnes annually. Dangote Sugar is also driving backward integration projects aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production through large-scale sugarcane farming across several Nigerian states. These initiatives support local employment, boost agribusiness value chains, and align with national food security goals. Through its investments, Dangote Sugar plays a key role in transforming Nigeria from a net importer to a potential net exporter of refined sugar.
2. Abdul Samad Rabiu
Country: Nigeria
Net Worth: $4.9 billion
Abdul Samad Rabiu is the founder and chairman of BUA Group, the parent company of BUA Foods Plc—one of Nigeria’s largest agribusiness and sugar refining firms. Through BUA Foods, Rabiu has spearheaded the development of sugar refining and production in Nigeria, positioning the company as a key player in driving the country toward sugar self-sufficiency. BUA entered the sugar race in 2008 with the launch of the second-largest sugar refinery in sub-Saharan Africa, breaking a long-standing monopoly in Nigeria’s sugar market. Rabiu’s sugar operations include the Eastern Sugar Refinery in Port Harcourt and the LASUCO Sugar Company Limited in Lafiagi, Kwara State, which spans 20,000 hectares of land for sugarcane cultivation and processing. These backward integration projects are designed to boost local sugar production, reduce reliance on imports, and generate employment across rural communities. The group has also expanded its processing infrastructure through a 2025 partnership with Turkish firm Agrimac Makina Limited, aimed at strengthening supply chains and supporting Nigeria’s broader food security agenda.
3. Issad Rebrab
Country: Algeria
Net Worth: $3 billion
Issad Rebrab is the founder of Cevital Group, whose food processing arm operates one of the largest sugar refineries in the world with an annual capacity of 2 million tons. Established in 1998, Cevital Agro-Industrie includes a state-of-the-art sugar refinery that has played a key role in shifting Algeria from sugar importation to exportation. The facility forms part of a larger agro-industrial complex that also houses oil and margarine refineries, beverage units, and port infrastructure, contributing to food security and industrial growth in Algeria.
4. Mohammed Dewji
Country: Tanzania
Net Worth: $2.2 billion
The President of MeTL Group, Dewji owns Mtibwa Sugar Estates Limited, one of Tanzania’s largest sugar producers. Acquired during the country’s privatization program in the early 2000s, Mtibwa Sugar is located in the Morogoro Region and has a processing capacity exceeding 130,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually. Under Dewji’s leadership, the company has expanded production through investments in modern milling equipment and by increasing sugarcane cultivation on both nucleus estates and through structured outgrower schemes. Mtibwa Sugar plays a significant role in Tanzania’s journey toward sugar self-sufficiency, supporting thousands of farmers and contributing to rural development, job creation, and food security across the country.
5. Jean Claude Mimran
Country: Senegal (French nationality, Swiss-based)
Net worth: $2 billion
Jean Claude Mimran’s Mimran Group, the largest flour miller and alcohol distiller in the west African region based in Monaco owns Compagnie Sucrière Sénégalaise (CSS), the largest sugar producer in Senegal cultivate 8,000 hectares of sugarcane in Senegal, and have more than 5,000 employees during harvest time. Operating in Richard Toll, CSS cultivates over 8,000 hectares of sugarcane and employs thousands during harvest. Under Mimran’s leadership, the group has transformed CSS into a linchpin of Senegal’s agro-industrial economy, fueling regional development and rural employment. Jean-Claude, nick-named sugar King of Africa rank as one of the 300 richest people in Switzerland worth two billion Swiss francs (€1.7 billion), according to Swiss business magazine Bilanz.
6. Narendra Raval
Country: Kenya
Net worth: $240 million
Narendra Raval is the founder and executive chairman of Devki Group, a Kenyan industrial conglomerate with operations in steel, cement, and energy. Through Devki Group, Raval has shown strategic interest in Kenya’s sugar industry, particularly in efforts to revive ailing state-owned sugar mills. In 2021, he unveiled a Ksh5 billion ($46 million) investment proposal aimed at rehabilitating the defunct Mumias Sugar Company. The plan included Ksh4 billion for modernizing the factory’s outdated infrastructure and Ksh1 billion to support sugarcane farmers with incentives for crop cultivation. Though he later withdrew from the bid due to transparency concerns in the leasing process, his proposed revival drew strong support from farmers and stakeholders in the sugar belt. While Devki Group’s core focus remains in heavy industry, Raval’s engagement in the sugar sector highlights his broader ambition to contribute to Kenya’s agro-industrial development and rural economic empowerment.
7. Jaswant Singh Rai
Country: Kenya
Net Worth: $45 million
The Founder of West Kenya Sugar Company Billionaire entrepreneur Jaswant Rai assumed control of Nzoia Sugar Factory after his company, West Kenya Sugar, secured a 30-year lease deal from the government. Jaswant was born in India and moved to Kenya in the 1970s. He started his entrepreneurial journey by venturing into the fruits and vegetable trade. Later, he expanded into the sugar industry in 1989 when he established West Kenya Sugar Company. The Kenyan billionaire serves as the Chairman of Rai Group, an enterprise with interests spanning sugar production, real estate, and hospitality. His companies are estimated to control around 43 percent of the country’s sugar industry. Additionally, he leads Kabras Sugar, Sukari Industries, and Olepito Sugar. Moreover, Rai is the founder of Raiplywood Group, a top producer of plywood and wood-based products in Kenya.
8. Bernard Soi
Country: Kenya
Net Worth: $20 million
Bernard Soi is the Managing Director of West Valley Sugar Company, a privately owned sugar milling firm under the Kipchimchim Group based in Kericho County, Kenya. The company operates a modern sugar mill in Soin/Sigowet with a processing capacity of 1,250 tonnes of cane per day and supports a network of over 8,500 registered farmers. West Valley Sugar Company was established as part of the group’s broader mission to revitalize Kenya’s sugar industry by offering farmers a stable market, enhancing regional economic development, and improving livelihoods in the surrounding communities. In a major move to expand its footprint, West Valley Sugar recently assumed operations of the government-owned Muhoroni Sugar Factory under a public-private partnership model. The takeover is aimed at strengthening cane quality, boosting production, and ensuring job security for factory workers. Through West Valley Sugar, Bernard Soi continues to position himself as a key player in Kenya’s agricultural sector, driving transformation in sugar production and farmer empowerment.
9. Channan Chatthe Family
Country: Kenya
Net Worth: $20 million
The Channan Chatthe family founded Kibos Sugar and Allied Industries Ltd, one of Kenya’s largest integrated sugar firms. Based in Kisumu, it began operations in 2007 with a 4,000 TCD crushing capacity, now expanded to 4,500 TCD. Their group spans sugar refining (150,000 tonnes/year), ethanol production (40,000 liters/day), and 18 MW bagasse-based power. It also includes packaging and paper manufacturing from sugar byproducts. With over 1,000 employees and 20,000 outgrowers, the family is a key agro-industrial player. In May 2025, they secured a 30-year lease to operate Chemelil Sugar, reinforcing public-private efforts to revitalize Kenya’s sugar industry.
10. Ahmed Ali Taib
Country: Kenya
Net Worth: $20 million
Ahmed Ali Taib is the founder and Managing Director of Busia Sugar Industry Ltd (BSI), based in Busia County, Kenya. Established in 2011, BSI began milling in 2019 with a capacity of 3,000 tonnes of cane per day, now increasing to 3,500 TCD. The company produces brown sugar, molasses, and filter mud, utilizing by-products like bagasse for electricity sold to the national grid. In 2025, BSI acquired Sony Sugar Company as part of Kenya’s privatization initiative. Taib aims to improve local farmers’ livelihoods and community development, despite challenges such as cane shortages, sourcing sugarcane from Uganda to sustain production.
