Who is the richest man in Ghana? It’s a question that sparks endless debates, from casual conversations in Accra streets to heated threads on r/Ghana and Facebook groups.
The commonly mentioned names as of 2025 are Ibrahim Mahama at the lead, Sir Sam Jonah, Ernesto Taricone and Kwame Despite.
It is true that wealth rankings shift, fortunes grow, and sometimes headlines can be misleading. But in 2025, the richest man in Ghana is known, Its Ernesto Taricone. And not Ibrahim Mahama as it’s widely claimed. However, in this article, I will explain why many people from Sunyani, Axim to Likpe Mate and the whole country at large believe that Mahama is the richest individual in the land.
What you should know is that Ghana’s economy has been fueled by construction, mining, agriculture, and real estate. The man at the very top of Ghana’s wealth class embodies this growth.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Ernesto Taricone built his fortune, his net worth, family, and lifestyle, plus the lessons you can learn if you’re serious about building wealth and financial stability.
As of 2025, the Ghana’s leading billionaire is Ernesto Taricone, with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion.
Taricone’s empire is rooted in construction and real estate, but it expands into mining, agriculture, aviation, and manufacturing. His developments define modern Ghana. What do I mean?
If you have to been accra or are planning to visit, just check Trasacco Valley, Aurora Luxury Apartments, Beaufort Ridge, Akaya by Trasacco, Trasacco Park and Fiore Village, all these luxury estates belong to one man; Ernesto Taricone.
That’s not all, he also has iconic high rises such as Villaggio Vista which is the tallest residential building in Ghana. The big question that you are either asking or should be asking is, How did one man manage to build all this wealth?
Well, lets start from the beginning.
Taricone’s journey starts far away from Ghana. Born in Italy in 1948, he moved with his family to Ghana in 1968. At the time, the country was undergoing political and economic changes, but Taricone saw opportunity.
His first venture was importing and selling agricultural machinery. This business gave him a foothold. From there, he took bigger risks, moving into construction and real estate, industries that would eventually crown him the wealthiest man in the country.
What sets him apart is persistence. Taricone didn’t just build houses; he built communities. He understood that Ghana’s growing middle and upper classes were hungry for modern, stylish living spaces. That’s where Trasacco Group was born.
Real Estate and Construction
Trasacco Group is more than just a real estate company—it’s a brand that symbolizes luxury in Ghana.
An Image of Villaggio Vista | Source: StephenMorrisM
Diversified Holdings
Taricone’s empire doesn’t stop at construction. Through subsidiaries, he holds interests in:
The group employs more than 3,500 people, generating an estimated $60 million in annual turnover.
That’s a lot of money, and as for a Ghanian? Even though this money does not benefit you directly, it benefits you indirectly. Just see the number of people his companies employ, 3,500 people, of whom most of this population comes from citizens of Ghana.
At 77, Ernesto Taricone lives a quieter life than you might expect from a billionaire. He isn’t flashy on social media, and you won’t find him chasing publicity. Instead, his influence speaks through his projects.
He is credited with reshaping high-end urban living in Accra. From luxury estates to towering apartments, Taricone’s developments attract both wealthy Ghanaians and international investors.
Philanthropy also plays a part in his legacy. He has supported agricultural projects, job creation initiatives, and housing development beyond luxury markets. His impact has also been recognized, for instance, when he received the City Construction & Properties Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
You might be wondering: with other wealthy Ghanaians like Sir Sam Jonah, Kwame Despite, and Ibrahim Mahama, why is Taricone still number one?
What separates Taricone from many rich people in Ghana is the sheer scale and stability of real estate and construction, industries that continue to grow as Ghana urbanizes. His projects don’t just generate wealth—they reshape cities.
Of course, Taricone isn’t the only billionaire shaping Ghana’s economy. From Sam Jonah to Ibrahim Mahama, several tycoons hold massive fortunes. You can see the full breakdown in our Top 10 Richest People in Ghana.
Looking ahead, the question isn’t just whether Ernesto Taricone will stay Ghana’s richest man, its his potential to grow his wealth and who might catch up based on recent historical data. With rising stars like Ibrahim Mahama investing aggressively in mining and energy, the competition is heating up.
For now, even though removing Taricone from the number-one spot challenging. Nothing is impossible under the sun. However, with new real estate projects in the pipeline, agricultural expansion, and continued investments in infrastructure, his wealth is positioned to grow even further.
What We Can Learn From Ernesto Taricone
Ernesto’s story carries lessons beyond the billions: So what can we learn from his story?
For entrepreneurs, Taricone proves that timing, vision, and persistence can create generational wealth even in lower-middle-income developing countries like Ghana.
Many Ghanaians do not consider Ernesto Taricone the richest man in Ghana. This is so despite the fact that he has vaster business investments than anyone else in the land. The reason behind this is because he is Italian by birth and only later became Ghanaian through naturalization.
In contrast, Ibrahim Mahama is regarded by many as the richest Ghanaian because he was born in Ghana and built his businesses as a Ghanaian from the ground up.
For many people, the distinction between being Ghanaian by birth and by naturalization strongly influences who they see as the country’s “true” richest man.
Who is the second richest man in Ghana in 2025?
Sir Sam Jonah, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, is the second wealthiest man while Despite is in position three and Ibrahim Mahama in fourth position.
Is Ernesto Taricone richer than Ibrahim Mahama?
Yes. Taricone’s fortune is estimated at $1.5 billion, while Ibrahim Mahama’s is around $800 million.
What companies does Ernesto Taricone own?
He owns Trasacco Group and subsidiaries including Royal Aluminium, Ital Prestress, Gulfwing Aviation, and Empire Builders.
How did Ernesto Taricone make his fortune?
He started with agricultural machinery and expanded into construction, real estate, and diversified industries.
As we reach the end of this article, it is apparent that Ernesto Taricone is the richest person in Ghana. From his businesses, it can be seen that the man has huge influence in Ghana’s economy.
We can therefore confidently say that Taricone is not just a businessman, he’s a builder of cities, a creator of opportunities, and a symbol of Ghana’s economic evolution.
As Ghana continues to grow, new billionaires will rise, and rankings will shift. However, when it comes to 2025, the richest man is Ernesto Taricone’s. His legacy is written not just in wealth, but in concrete, glass, and the thousands of lives his empire supports.
I’m Clinton Wamalwa Wanjala, a financial writer and certified financial consultant passionate about empowering the youth with practical financial knowledge. As the founder of Fineducke.com, I provide accessible guidance on personal finance, entrepreneurship, and investment opportunities.
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