Botswana-based businessman Jonathan Gibson fortune skyrockets by $3.3 million

Botswana-based businessman Jonathan Gibson has seen a significant increase in his net worth since the start of the year as a result of the soaring share price of Chobe Holdings, a Gaborone-based tourism firm listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange.

According to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa, Jonathan Gibson’s stake in Chobe Holdings has increased in market value by more than $3.3 million since the year began, owing primarily to the company’s share price’s continued rise.

The recent increase in the market value of his stake can be attributed to the Botswana Stock Exchange’s widespread bullish sentiment, which has resulted in a surge in the share price of a number of companies, including Chobe Holdings.

Chobe Holdings is a leader in Botswana’s hospitality industry, it operates 12 ecotourism lodges and camps on leased land in northern Botswana and the Caprivi Strip in Namibia through its leading brands and subsidiaries.

The Botswana-based group, led by Gibson, a leading businessman who owns a 35.6-percent stake in the company, is the owner of Safari Air, a wholly-owned air charter operator that provides air transport services to the group’s camps and lodges.

Chobe Holdings’ share price has surged 17.2 percent since Jan. 1, from BWP7.91 ($0.604) to BWP9.27 ($0.708) as of April 6.

The increase has propelled the company’s market capitalization beyond $60 million.

Gibson, who owns a 35.6-percent stake in the company, has reaped the benefits of this growth, with the value of his holdings rising by BWP43.29 million ($3.31 million) since the start of the year.

His stake was worth BWP251.78 million ($19.24 million) on Jan. 1, but has now climbed to BWP295.07 million ($22.55 million) at the time of writing.

The recent surge in his stake cements his position as one of the richest investors on the Botswana Stock Exchange.