The Digest:
Two Nigerian-born billionaires, Adebayo Ogunlesi and Tope Awotona, have secured spots in the Forbes 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants, marking significant milestones in their respective careers. Their inclusion highlights the growing influence of immigrants in America’s economic landscape.
Key Points:
- Adebayo Ogunlesi ranks 77th with a net worth of $2.4 billion, known for his success in private equity.
- Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, is ranked 106th with $1.4 billion.
- The list includes 125 billionaires from 41 countries, who collectively own 18% of America’s total billionaire wealth.
- Other African-born billionaires on the list include Haim Saban (Egypt), Marc Lasry (Morocco), and Bharat Desai (Kenya).
- 93% of those on the list are self-made, primarily in tech and finance.
- The number of immigrant billionaires rose from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025, reflecting an evolving demographic.
- Notable names like Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, and Jensen Huang top the list of America’s richest immigrants.
This list emphasizes the resilience and innovation of immigrants, particularly Africans, in shaping America’s economic power. The inclusion of Nigerian billionaires Ogunlesi and Awotona demonstrates the profound influence and contributions of African-born entrepreneurs in the global market.
Sources: Forbes, Business Insider, Premium Times
