( CNN ) -- Forbes magazine has announced its inaugural list of Africa 's top 40 richest people , highlighting Nigerian magnate Aliko Dangote as the continent 's richest man . Forbes said its decision to launch the 40 Richest People in Africa is a `` testament to the growing global importance of the continent . '' `` Fortunes are being created everywhere from South Africa clear north to Morocco and Egypt in a diverse array of industries , '' the magazine reported . Nigeria 's Aliko Dangote made his fortune , estimated at $ 10.1 billion , at Dangote-Cement Plc , a construction company with a strong presence in Africa . According to Forbes , the company manages vast amounts of construction resources including a gas power plant , a gas pipeline and a dam with a total storage capacity of 5.1 million cubic meters . Africa 's growing attractiveness . The company employs 3,468 people . Second to Dangote comes Nicky Oppenheimer , a former member of South Africa 's diamond 80-year-old dynasty . Oppenheimer , who sold his family 's remaining stake with De Beers in November to mining giant Anglo American . The historic transaction made headlines in November as Oppenheimer abdicated his role as Africa 's top diamond magnate . `` This has been a momentous and difficult decision as my family has been in the diamond industry for more than 100 years and part of De Beers for over 80 years , '' Oppenheimer said in a statement . Egypt has the largest number of billionaires in Africa , according to Forbes , seven of them belonging to two families , the Sawiris and Mansours . Forbes said six African countries are represented on the list , including Kenya and Zimbabwe . `` Notable for their absence from the list : women . All 40 members are men , '' the magazine reported .
Nigerian magnate Aliko Dangote is the continent 's richest man . Dangote made his fortune , estimated at $ 10.1 billion , at Dangote Cement Plc . Second is Nicky Oppenheimer , a former member of South Africa 's diamond dynasty .