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Dimunayo Tengi
- 6 Min Read
Botswana Billionaires: Top 10 Richest Men In Botswana
Botswana, one of Africa’s most stable democracies and fastest-growing economies, is a beacon of prosperity in Southern Africa. Over the years, this diamond-rich nation has diversified its economy, opening doors for entrepreneurs and investors to thrive. In this land of opportunity, some individuals have risen to build empires across industries such as retail, real estate, agriculture, manufacturing, and finance.
This blog post profiles the top 10 richest men in Botswana in 2025, exploring their wealth, business ventures, and the contributions they have made to Botswana's economic development. These men are not only titans of industry but also pivotal players in shaping the nation’s commercial landscape.
1. Ramachandran Ottapathu – Net Worth: $40.9 Million
Popularly known as Ram, Ramachandran Ottapathu is the Group CEO of Choppies Enterprises Limited, Botswana’s largest retail chain. Starting from a single store in Lobatse in the 1980s, Choppies has grown into a retail empire with over 170 outlets across Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Ram holds a 19.5% stake in Choppies, valued at over $60 million. Additionally, he owns a significant 26.8% share in Far Property Company Limited, which owns and manages many properties occupied by Choppies stores. This dual ownership gives him a combined estimated net worth of $40.9 million, making him one of Botswana’s most influential business leaders.
His leadership is often credited with making Choppies a household name and a symbol of Botswana’s retail evolution.
2. Farouk Essop Ismail – Net Worth: $37.4 Million
Farouk Ismail is another formidable name behind the success of Choppies Enterprises. As the co-founder and Deputy Chairman, he played a crucial role in scaling Choppies into a multinational retail powerhouse. He owns a 14.6% stake in the retail group, valued at over $45 million.
Ismail also holds a 27.99% stake in Far Property Company Limited, a major commercial real estate firm in Botswana. His diversified investment portfolio across retail and property development places his net worth at around $37.4 million.
Through his business acumen, Ismail has contributed immensely to Botswana’s urban development and employment creation.
3. Derek Brink – Net Worth: Over P10 Billion
A giant in Botswana’s real estate and food sectors, Derek Brink commands immense wealth, with his net worth estimated at over P10 billion. Brink is widely respected for his expansive property portfolio, both locally and internationally. He owns properties in Australia, South Africa, Brazil, and Botswana.
In addition to real estate, Brink is associated with Senn Foods, a leading name in food processing and distribution in Botswana. His contributions to the food sector have helped improve local production and food security.
Derek Brink is one of the most private yet powerful figures in Botswana’s business ecosystem, whose legacy spans decades.
4. Sayed Jamali – Net Worth: Over P10 Billion
Sayed Jamali is a leading entrepreneur in Botswana’s property and construction industry. Known for owning approximately 2,000 commercial and residential plots across Gaborone, his properties house many government and private offices, generating substantial recurring revenue.
In addition to his real estate footprint in Botswana, Jamali has diversified his investments into Australia, Lebanon, and South Africa, demonstrating strong international business links.
With a net worth also estimated at P10 billion, he stands as one of Botswana’s wealthiest property magnates, playing a critical role in urban infrastructure and development.
5. Abdul Satar Dada – Net Worth: $50 Million
Abdul Satar Dada is a veteran businessman and philanthropist in Botswana. With a career that spans decades, he has invested in various sectors including agriculture, automotive, and advertising. Dada is the founder of Associated Investment Development Corporation (AIDC), which controls Tswana Pride, Botswana’s largest poultry producer.
He is also the owner of Motor Centre Botswana, a flagship Toyota dealership. Through his multiple ventures, he has created thousands of jobs and helped shape Botswana’s modern economy.
His net worth is estimated at $50 million, solidifying his place as one of the most impactful business figures in the country.
6. Gulaam Hussain Abdoola – Net Worth: $25 Million
Gulaam Hussain Abdoola is the founder and current CEO of Turnstar Holdings, one of Botswana’s largest and most diversified property investment firms. The company owns commercial properties in Botswana, Tanzania, and the United Arab Emirates, including iconic malls and mixed-use developments.
Abdoola’s 15.7% stake in Turnstar is valued at over $25 million, making him one of Botswana’s top investors in real estate. Turnstar’s properties, like Game City Mall in Gaborone, are central to Botswana’s commercial landscape.
He is known for his strategic foresight and for creating long-term economic value through property development.
7. Chandrakanth D. Chauhan – Net Worth: $12 Million
Chandrakanth Chauhan is the Group CEO of Sefalana Holdings, Botswana’s second-largest food retailer after Choppies. Sefalana operates in several countries, including Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa, managing over 1,200 stores across Africa.
Chauhan owns a 4.5% stake in Sefalana, which translates to over $12 million in shareholder value. His leadership has been instrumental in growing Sefalana’s footprint and increasing investor confidence in the Botswana Stock Exchange.
His success story exemplifies corporate governance and sustainable business expansion in Southern Africa.
8. Jonathan Gibson – Net Worth: $22.5 Million
Jonathan Gibson is the CEO of Chobe Holdings, a major player in Botswana’s eco-tourism industry. With wildlife-based tourism being a critical part of Botswana’s GDP, Gibson’s role in the tourism sector is especially noteworthy.
Chobe Holdings owns several luxury lodges and safari brands such as Desert & Delta Safaris and Ker & Downey Botswana, catering to high-end tourists from Europe, North America, and Asia.
Gibson holds a 35.59% stake in Chobe Holdings, valued at over $22.5 million. His company contributes heavily to job creation and conservation efforts in the Okavango Delta region.
9. Giorgio Giachetti – Net Worth: $12.6 Million
Giorgio Giachetti is a co-founder of RDC Properties, a property development firm with a footprint in multiple countries including Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, the USA, and Madagascar.
His 9.95% share in RDC Properties is worth approximately $12.6 million, with the company engaged in large-scale commercial and residential projects.
Giachetti has been instrumental in bringing foreign investment into Botswana’s real estate sector, and his vision continues to shape the urban skyline of Gaborone and other cities.
10. Jagdish Shah – Net Worth: P500 Million
Jagdish Shah is a diversified entrepreneur who has left his mark across several industries in Botswana. His ventures include property development, fitness centers, IT solutions, and advertising agencies.
Shah is also the founder of CA Sales and Distribution Centre, which is Botswana’s largest FMCG distribution company, working with major brands like Coca-Cola and Unilever.
With a net worth estimated at P500 million, Shah is a self-made business mogul who epitomizes resilience and strategic innovation. His business model focuses on quality service delivery and localized solutions for Botswana’s growing consumer base.
Final Thoughts
Botswana’s economic success story is deeply intertwined with the vision and drive of its top entrepreneurs. These top 10 richest men in Botswana have not only built financial empires but have also created thousands of jobs, supported infrastructure development, and raised the standard of living across the nation.
Their ventures span critical sectors such as retail, agriculture, tourism, property, and manufacturing, reflecting Botswana’s maturing and diversified economy. As the nation continues to embrace innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship, these men stand as examples of what is possible in Botswana’s thriving business environment.
They serve as both inspiration and a challenge to the next generation of Batswana entrepreneurs: that with vision, discipline, and a commitment to local development, success is not only possible—it’s expected.
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