Tanzania's Mohammed Dewji retains his position as East Africa's wealthiest individual according to the 2019 Forbes World’s Billionaires list, with a net worth exceeding Sh100 billion. The survey highlights Egypt as the African nation with the most billionaires, tallying six, while South Africa follows with five. Morocco contributes two, and Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Angola each have one representative.
Dewji, CEO of METL—a Tanzanian conglomerate established in the 1970s by his father—operates across textile manufacturing, flour milling, beverages, and edible oils in six African countries. The company plans further expansion. Dewji gained international attention in 2018 after a 10-day kidnapping ordeal in Dar es Salaam.
The Forbes list, compiled using stock prices and exchange rates as of February 8, 2019, notes that wealth can fluctuate rapidly. For instance, Japan's Tsuyoshi Matsushita saw his fortune drop nearly $600 million by February 18, while Singapore's Forrest Li surged into the billionaire bracket after a 45% stock increase. The publication clarifies its methodology, emphasizing individual wealth assessments over family fortunes and valuing assets like private companies and real estate.
