3. Meles Zenawi – $3 Billion
Meles Zenawi was an Ethiopian politician and businessman born on May 9, 1955, but died on Aug 20, 2012, at age of 57 years old. He had a net worth of $3 billion, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Meles Zenawi is the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Before becoming the prime minister of his native country, Zenawi was the president of Ethiopia in the nineties (from 1991 to 1995). He was also the chairman of the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the head of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) during the eighties.
Taking the position of Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 (until his death in August 2012), Zenawi was hailed as one of Africa’s strongmen, introducing a multi-party political system, and private press in the country, and reducing child mortality rates. He was also heavily involved in the US War on Terror, helping to eliminate military organisations such as Al Qaeda.
Furthermore, Zenawi received praise for his work towards a stable relationship with the African Union, playing an important role in improving the continent’s position on climate change. However, his leadership came under serious attack, as he was accused of abusing a string of human rights issues and repressing the freedom of the press/speech.
Following a brain tumor operation in Brussels, Zenawi died from contracting an infection in August 2012. He was 57. Barack Obama said that Zenawi deserves recognition for his lifelong contribution to Ethiopia’s development, particularly to the poor.
4. Eyob Joe Mamo – $2.5 Billion
Source: Oil and Gas, Real Estate
Eyob Joe Mamo is an Ethiopian oil tycoon known for running and controlling half of the gas stations in Washington, D.C., through Capitol Petroleum Group, a leading wholesale distributor of petroleum services in the Metro D.C. area and New York City.
Mamo, who tries to keep a low profile, is regarded as the king of the D.C. gas business.
In 2011, Capitol Petroleum Group was valued at $800 million, making him one of the wealthiest businessmen in Ethiopia with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. Mamo is the CEO of the D.C.-based group.
The Ethiopian magnate and real estate developer has tendered a bid to buy a minority stake in D.C. United. The six-percent stake would make him the latest in a slew of new minority partners that the U.S. soccer franchise has added in recent years.
5. Berhane Gebrekristos – $2 Billion
He was one of the closest to the dictator Meles and his wife Azeb Mesfin. He is a really trusted apprentice to the dictator and even now he is a partner of Azeb Mesfin in various businesses. He was a part of the diplomatic works that were used by the dictator for money laundering. The dictator himself looted a huge amount of money in the name of taxes from the common people and before the government was formed, he helped them in the loot of money.
He was previously a member of the politburo of TPLF and was close to the dictator. He was also a member of the committee for the Endowment Fund For Relief Of Tigray. He was close to Meles but was later kicked out of both organisations.
Berhane Gebrekristos’ present estimation of net worth is about $2 billion but his real worth previously was even more than this. He is still one of the most influential people in the whole of Ethiopia today.
