Top 10 Richest People in Ethiopia in 2025 and Their Net Worth

Let’s be honest — when people hear about wealth in Africa, Ethiopia is not always the first country that comes to mind. But that’s starting to change. Ethiopia has been making big moves, and behind those moves are individuals who’ve built serious wealth through business, innovation, and persistence.

Today, we’ll take a look at the top 10 richest Ethiopians in 2025. But this isn’t just about counting other people’s money — it’s about learning. What can a young Kenyan, Ugandan, or even Tanzanian youth learn from these success stories? Let’s find out.

1. Mohammed Al-Amoudi – Net Worth: $6.5 Billion

Still topping the list is Mohammed Al-Amoudi, a name you’ve probably heard before. Born to a Yemeni father and Ethiopian mother, Al-Amoudi has investments in everything from gold mines to hotels, oil refineries, and construction firms.

His empire stretches across Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. His company, MIDROC Ethiopia, is a big employer in the country. This man has been rich for years – but what’s impressive is how he keeps growing.

Lesson? Don’t just hustle — invest. One stream of income is good, but multiple streams are what keep you wealthy long-term.

2. Eyob “Joe” Mamo – Net Worth: $1.5 Billion

Eyob Mamo is not just rich – he’s strategic. Joe made his fortune in the oil business, distributing petroleum products across the U.S. through his company Capitol Petroleum Group.

Yes, he made his money abroad, but he hasn’t forgotten home. He’s now investing back in Ethiopia, especially in real estate and energy.

Lesson? Use your skills and networks wherever you are. Even if you start outside Africa, come back and invest in the continent.

3. Berhane Gebrekristos – Net Worth: $950 Million

Berhane made his wealth through logistics and trade. His company started with simple import-export services and grew to dominate parts of East Africa’s trade corridors.

What stands out about Berhane is how he stayed consistent for over 30 years. He didn’t become a billionaire overnight – it was step by step.

Lesson? Start where you are. Even a small business can grow if you keep showing up every day.

4. Samuel Tafesse – Net Worth: $780 Million

Samuel is one of Ethiopia’s biggest names in real estate and construction. His company, Sunshine Investment Group, has built hotels, apartments, and commercial buildings all over Addis Ababa.

He started off as a construction worker before founding his own company. Imagine that — from laying bricks to owning buildings.

Lesson? Your background doesn’t define your future. Skills and vision will always beat where you come from.

5. Buzuayehu Tadele Bizenu – Net Worth: $730 Million

Buzuayehu made his money in energy, engineering, and international trade. His company, East African Holding, is into everything from manufacturing to packaging.

What’s interesting is how he reinvests his profits into new sectors. Today it’s soap, tomorrow it’s solar panels.

Lesson? Don’t be afraid to pivot. Today’s skills may get you started, but learning new things is what keeps you relevant.

6. Mulu Solomon – Net Worth: $520 Million

Mulu is a name that comes up when you talk about business leadership in Ethiopia. She’s not just wealthy — she’s also influential. As the former president of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce, she used her platform to open doors for others.

Her investments span agriculture, logistics, and consulting.

Lesson? Leadership and wealth often go hand in hand. Build your name, and the money will follow.

7. Tewodros Ashenafi – Net Worth: $480 Million

Tewodros is the CEO of SouthWest Energy, one of the biggest energy firms in Ethiopia. He’s young (compared to the others on this list) and very forward-thinking.

He studied abroad, came back, and focused on developing Ethiopia’s oil and gas sector. Now, his company has stakes in major energy projects.

Lesson? Energy is the future. Whether it’s oil, solar, or wind — Africa needs it, and you can profit from helping meet that need.

8. Mamo Kacha – Net Worth: $440 Million

Ever heard of Mamo Kacha? If you’ve taken public transport in Addis Ababa, you’ve probably used one of his buses. He owns one of the largest transportation companies in Ethiopia.

He started with just one minibus and grew into a nationwide fleet.

Lesson? Transport is not a sexy business, but it’s profitable. Find everyday problems and solve them at scale.

9. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu – Net Worth: $320 Million

Bethlehem is one of Ethiopia’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs. She founded SoleRebels, a shoe company that uses recycled materials and creates jobs for local artisans. Her brand is now global, with shops in Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

She didn’t wait for anyone to come and "save" Africa. She built a world-class brand from a local story.

Lesson? You don’t need to copy the West — build from what you have. African creativity can pay in dollars.

10. Zemedeneh Negatu – Net Worth: $290 Million

Zemedeneh is a financial expert and global investor. He used to lead Ernst & Young in Ethiopia before moving into private equity and investment advisory.

He now helps African businesses get international funding and grow beyond borders.

Lesson? Financial knowledge is power. If you can understand money, you can multiply it.

Final Thoughts – What Can You Learn From Ethiopia’s Billionaires?

Now that we’ve walked through Ethiopia’s top money-makers, let’s bring it back home. What can a young Kenyan or African youth pick from all this?

• Start where you are. Most of these billionaires didn’t start with much. They built slowly.

• Invest wisely. Real estate, energy, transport, and manufacturing are still Africa’s biggest money-makers.

• Think global, act local. Some of these people made money abroad and brought it back home. Others created something local and took it abroad.

• Keep learning. From real estate to oil to shoes — knowledge opened doors for these people.

Remember, being rich isn’t just about money. It’s about value. The more problems you solve, the more valuable you become.

So the next time you hear about someone becoming a billionaire, don’t just say “Wow.” Ask yourself, What can I do today that will take me one step closer to that level?

And who knows — maybe in a few years, we’ll be reading about you on the list.