Moroccan Banking Tycoon Reclaims Richest Title: Othman Benjelloun’s $2 Billion Empire Spans Africa

According to the 2025 ranking of the Forbes magazine, published this Tuesday, September 9, the 93-year-old chairman of Bank of Africa has seen his assets increase by $400 million in one year, placing him 14th among the largest fortunes in Africa and 1,952nd in the world.

The majority of his fortune comes from his 27.41% stake in Bank of Africa. The value of the bank’s shares, present in more than 20 African countries, has increased by more than 25% this year, bringing its market capitalization to $6.1 billion. Mr. Benjelloun’s stake is thus valued at around $1.7 billion.

Beyond his main banking activity, Othman Benjelloun holds significant shares in the insurance and telecommunications sectors through his holding company FinanceCom. The latter notably has investments in the Moroccan subsidiary of the French operator Orange. On a personal level, he is also the owner of the Adarouche Ranch, one of the largest livestock farms in Africa.

Alongside his economic activities, Othman Benjelloun is also known for his philanthropic commitment. He and his wife received the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award in 2016 for their contribution to the construction of schools in rural areas of Morocco. Despite his age, he remains an active figure in the development of the Moroccan and continental financial sector.