Insight

• Dimunayo Tengi
• 6 Min Read

Eritrea Billionaires: The Top 10 Richest Men In Eritrea

Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa, is a country known for its strategic location, strong national identity, and unique political structure. Although it’s one of the smaller economies in Africa, Eritrea has a number of influential figures who have built significant personal fortunes—both domestically and through the diaspora. While the nation’s economic data is often difficult to verify due to limited transparency, a number of individuals stand out based on credible public records, business ventures, and international reports.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 10 richest men in Eritrea in 2025, looking at their estimated net worth, the sectors they dominate, and their impact on the local and global economy. This list includes both those operating inside Eritrea and those from the Eritrean diaspora who continue to invest in the country's future.

1. Hassen Abdalla Beshir – Banking Tycoon

• Estimated Net Worth: $209 million

• Industry: Banking & Finance

Hassen Abdalla Beshir is one of the wealthiest Eritrean nationals known through disclosures from international banking leaks, particularly the HSBC Geneva files. Despite publicly listing his profession as a “banker,” little is known about his business operations or sources of wealth. What is confirmed, however, is that in 2007, his HSBC account reportedly held over $209 million, making him one of the most affluent individuals of Eritrean origin.

Though Hassen keeps a low profile, his wealth is indicative of substantial influence, possibly within Eritrean government-linked financial networks or abroad through banking or investment platforms. His financial clout illustrates how some Eritreans have built wealth in the shadows, far from the headlines.

2. Ghebreselassi Kidane Habte – Strategic Investor

• Estimated Net Worth: $106 million

• Industry: Investments

Ghebreselassi Kidane Habte is another low-key millionaire with Eritrean roots who became known through financial disclosures. Officially, he described himself as a “car driver” when opening his HSBC Geneva account, yet he had over $106 million in his account by 2007. This has led to speculation that he was either acting as a proxy or was involved in undisclosed high-value transactions.

Whether he gained his fortune through shrewd investments, real estate, or silent partnerships in profitable ventures, Ghebreselassi exemplifies how some individuals from modest professional backgrounds have quietly built vast fortunes.

3. Ghirmay Abraham – Renewable Energy Visionary

• Estimated Net Worth: $50 million

• Industry: Renewable Energy & Water Infrastructure

Ghirmay Abraham is one of Eritrea’s most dynamic entrepreneurs, known for co-founding Aptech Africa, a rapidly expanding company that provides renewable energy and water pumping solutions across the African continent. With operations in Uganda, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and more, Aptech Africa is helping to drive Africa’s green energy transition.

Under Abraham’s leadership, the company has become a key player in solar and water infrastructure, receiving recognition for sustainability and impact. His estimated wealth of $50 million is expected to grow as energy demand rises in Africa, making him a standout success story from Eritrea.

4. Abraha Kassa – National Security Director

• Estimated Net Worth: Undisclosed

• Industry: Government & Intelligence

Brigadier General Abraha Kassa has been Eritrea’s Director of the National Security Office since at least the late 1990s. Though no verified financial disclosures are available, his decades-long position at the helm of the country’s most sensitive apparatus suggests vast informal influence and access to state resources.

His long tenure, involvement in intelligence and security operations, and connections to top leadership may imply wealth derived from control rather than commercial enterprise. While his exact net worth remains a mystery, Kassa is regarded as one of the most powerful individuals in Eritrea.

5. Berhane Habtemariam – Finance Minister

• Estimated Net Worth: Undisclosed

• Industry: Finance & Government

Berhane Habtemariam, who trained as an accountant in the UK, has served as Eritrea’s Minister of Finance since 2014. Before that, he was the country's first Auditor-General. Known for promoting accountability and professionalism, Berhane was even recognized by the UN for his efforts in strengthening public financial management.

Although public financial disclosure laws are limited in Eritrea, Habtemariam’s role grants him significant control over the national budget, investments, and fiscal policy—making him influential in shaping Eritrea’s economic future.

6. Tesfai Ghebreselassie – Minister of Land and Energy

• Estimated Net Worth: Undisclosed

• Industry: Mining, Land & Environment

Tesfai Ghebreselassie has held several high-level ministerial positions in Eritrea, including Minister of Energy & Mines and Minister of Land, Water, and Environment. His key involvement in negotiating foreign mining contracts, such as those with Nevsun Resources, positions him as a central figure in Eritrea’s resource extraction strategy.

He has overseen the country’s limited but profitable mining industry, which includes gold and copper exports. While his net worth is not publicly known, his strategic role in a resource-rich portfolio suggests access to significant financial leverage.

7. Kisanet Tedros – Diaspora Innovator

• Estimated Net Worth: $1 million

• Industry: Education & Digital Media

Kisanet Tedros is a prominent Eritrean entrepreneur based in Uganda. She created the YouTube channel Beles Bubu, which provides Tigrinya-language educational content for children. Her work aims to preserve Eritrean culture and educate the diaspora's younger generation.

Through social media monetization, brand partnerships, and educational programs, Kisanet has built a sustainable brand. Though her estimated net worth is $1 million, her cultural influence and potential for growth make her one of Eritrea’s promising diaspora figures.

8. Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam – Human Trafficking Kingpin (Arrested)

• Estimated Net Worth: $10 million

• Industry: Illicit Networks

Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam was one of the most notorious human traffickers in the Horn of Africa, responsible for smuggling Eritrean and other East African migrants through dangerous routes to Europe. His operations reportedly earned him millions, which he used to buy properties in Asmara and Dubai.

While his arrest in 2022 disrupted his operations, his wealth prior to incarceration was estimated at around $10 million. His inclusion is controversial, yet his financial impact cannot be overlooked in any review of Eritrean wealth.

9. Alexander Isak – Football Star of Eritrean Descent

• Estimated Net Worth: $10 million

• Industry: Professional Sports

Born to Eritrean parents in Sweden, Alexander Isak has made a name for himself as one of Europe’s top young strikers. Having played for Borussia Dortmund, Real Sociedad, and now Newcastle United in the English Premier League, Isak’s career earnings and endorsement deals place his net worth around $10 million.

While technically Swedish, his Eritrean heritage and regular acknowledgment of his roots make him a significant figure in the global Eritrean community.

10. Isaias Afwerki – President of Eritrea

• Estimated Net Worth: Estimated at $4 billion (unverified)

• Industry: Government

Isaias Afwerki has been the President of Eritrea since 1993. Despite his image as a populist leader, international reports, including some unverified allegations from financial watchdogs and opposition groups, estimate his personal and controlled assets at upwards of $4 billion.

The lack of transparent governance and press freedom in Eritrea means these figures cannot be confirmed. Nonetheless, Isaias remains the most powerful figure in Eritrea and is believed to have ultimate control over the nation’s economic and political systems.

Summary Table

Conclusion

The Eritrean elite and diaspora have generated wealth through diverse means—from renewable energy, finance, and sports to, unfortunately, illicit networks. Some have built transparent businesses that contribute positively to society, while others have operated in the shadows. Despite Eritrea’s challenging economic environment, these individuals have carved out paths to wealth and influence, shaping both national and international perceptions of Eritrean success.