Swazi billionaire Natie Kirsh gains $140 million in two weeks

Natie Kirsh, the Swazi billionaire renowned for his expansive wealth and ventures in the food supply industry, has recorded another surge in his net worth over the past two weeks — solidifying his position as Eswatini’s richest person and one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index — which tracks the fortunes of the world’s 500 wealthiest billionaires — Kirsh’s net worth has increased by $140 million over the last two weeks, with his net worth rising from $8.18 billion on Mar. 12 to $8.32 billion.

The surge in Kirsh’s wealth, averaging a daily gain of $9.3 million since March 12 – is primarily attributed to the exceptional performance of his 75-percent stake in Jetro Holdings, a New York-based consumer goods holding company overseeing two prominent wholesale grocery enterprises in the United States — Jetro Cash & Carry and Restaurant Depot.

Kirsh ranks 308th among the world’s wealthiest billionaires

Natie Kirsh, ranked 308th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, derives a substantial portion of his wealth from private investments. His closely held conglomerate Kirsh Group, which holds a majority position in Jetro Holdings, is worth $205 million.

The bulk of Kirsh’s fortune stems from his 75-percent stake in Jetro Holdings, currently valued at $5.68 billion. This represents an increase from $5.53 billion on March 12, adding $150 million to his wealth. This stake accounts for over 66 percent of Kirsh’s $8.32 billion fortune.

Kirsh’s diverse holdings: From Jetro to Abacus Property Group

In addition to Jetro Holdings, Kirsh maintains a 54-percent stake in Abacus Property Group, a Sydney-based publicly traded real estate investment trust. However, over the past two weeks, the value of this asset has slightly dipped by $3 million, from $371 million to $368 million.

Kirsh’s property portfolio includes significant assets like Tower 42, London’s leading office skyscraper, valued at $364 million in 2024, and Jandakot Airport in Perth, Australia. The recent surge in his wealth reaffirms his position among the world’s wealthiest individuals.