Wealth of African billionaires soars: charity

THE four richest Africans were wealthier than about half of the continent's 750 million people, antipoverty charity Oxfam said in a report published on Thursday, warning widening inequality was hampering democracy.

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Oxfam named only Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, the continent's richest man, in its report.

But according to Forbes, the top four are rounded out by South Africans Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer, along with Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris.

Over the past five years, African billionaires had seen their wealth soar by 56%, with the richest among them recording even higher gains, Oxfam said.

Nearly half of the top 50 most unequal countries in the world are also on the continent, according to the report.