South African billionaire Koos Bekker, recognized for his tech industry investments, has recorded a $400-million bump in his fortune since the start of 2024, boosted by the strong performance of his various tech holdings.
According to the U.S. business magazine Forbes, Bekker, a prominent figure among the South Africa’s wealthiest and a leading billionaire in Africa, has seen his net worth surge by $400 million from $2.3 billion on Jan. 1 to $2.7 billion at the time of drafting this report.
Bekker’s $2.7-billion fortune makes him the world’s 1,169th richest man
With a current net worth of $2.7 billion, Bekker ranks among Africa’s wealthiest people, trailing behind Aliko Dangote, Johann Rupert, Nicky Oppenheimer, and others. He now holds the 1,169th spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest individuals.
The $400-million surge in his fortune is attributed to the performance of his investment portfolio, which includes a 0.72-percent stake in global internet entity Prosus N.V. and a 0.85-percent stake in Naspers, Africa’s largest publicly traded company.
Beyond his tech investments, Bekker’s assets extend to his Babylonstoren estate
Beyond his ventures in the corporate world, Bekker’s asset holdings extend to his Babylonstoren estate, a site steeped in history dating back to 1690. The estate, encompassing a farm, orchard, and vineyard, reflects his commitment to heritage.
In the current year, Naspers’ shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange have seen a modest rise of over 401 basis points, going from R3,050.12 ($161.33) on Jan. 1 to R3,172.50 ($167.79). Consequently, Bekker’s 1,687,887 shares are now valued above $280 million.
Likewise, Prosus shares on the Euronext Exchange in Amsterdam have surged by over 458 basis points, climbing from €26.87 ($29.06) on Jan. 1 to €28.10 ($30.40) at the time of this report. This upswing has propelled the market value of Bekker’s Prosus stake beyond $880 million
