Iroko TV Founder, Jason Njoku & CEO of Bakrie Delano Africa, Ladi Delano make Forbes Magazine’s ‘Ten Young African Millionaires To Watch’ List


By Adeola Adeyemo

Two Nigerians, Ladi Delano, the restless 30 year-old founder and CEO of Bakrie Delano Africa, a $1 billion investment vehicle committed to making acquisitions in Nigeria’s mining, energy and agriculture sectors; and Jason Njoku, the 31 year-old founder and CEO of Iroko TV have made the recently released Forbes Magazine ‘Ten Young African Millionaires To Watch’ list.

According to Mfonobong Nsehe, a Forbes Magazine contributor who compiled the list, it consists of a handful of young Africans in their 20s and 30s who have built businesses and amassed enviable million-dollar fortunes. While some are corporate animals; others are empire builders.

There are thousands of young and immensely successful entrepreneurs across the African continent. There’s a growing number of Africans aged 40 and under who are legitimately amassing multi-million dollar fortunes. They don’t inherit stuff; they build it themselves.

The list comprised of:

Mark Shuttleworth, 38, South African, Founder, Knife Capital
Ashish Thakkar, 29, Ugandan, Co-Founder and CEO, Mara Group
Ladi Delano, 30, Nigerian, Founder and CEO, Bakrie Delano Africa
Justin Stanford, 28, South African, Founder & CEO, 4Di Group
Magatte Wade, 36, Senegalese, Founder, Adina World Beat Beverages & Tiossan
Mike Macharia, 36, Kenyan, Founder & CEO, Seven Seas Technologies
Vinny Lingham, 33, South African, Founder, Yola Inc
Kamal Budhabatti, 36, Kenyan, CEO, Craft Silicon
Yolanda Cuba, 35, South African, Executive Director, South African Breweries
Jason Njoku, 31, Nigerian, Founder & CEO Iroko TV

Here’s what Forbes had to say about the two Nigerians on the list:

Ladi Delano



The jet-setting Nigerian serial entrepreneur made his first millions as a liquor entrepreneur while living in China. In 2004, at age 22, he founded Solidarnosc Asia, a Chinese alcoholic beverage company that made Solid XS, a premium brand of vodka. Solid XS went on to achieve over 50% market share in China and was distributed across over 30 cities in China, and pulled in $20 million in annual revenue. Delano subsequently sold the company to a rival liquor company for over $15 million and ploughed his funds into his next venture-The Delano Reid Group, a real estate investment holding company focused on mainland China. Today, Delano is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bakrie Delano Africa (BDA) – a $1 billion joint venture with the $15 billion (market cap) Bakrie Group of Indonesia. Bakrie Delano Africa serves as the investment partner of the Bakrie Group in Nigeria. The Indonesian conglomerate has provided over $900 million worth of funds to invest in Nigeria and Bakrie Delano Africa is responsible for identifying investment opportunities in mining, agriculture and oil & gas and executing them.

Jason Njoku



The maverick Nigerian Internet entrepreneur is founder of Iroko TV, the world’s largest digital distributor of African movies. Iroko TV has been dubbed the ‘Netflix of Africa’. Earlier this year, Iroko TV raised $8 million in venture capital from Tiger Global Management, a New York-based private equity and hedge fund run by billionaire Chase Coleman. IrokoTV enjoys lucrative content distribution deals with Dailymotion, iTunes, Amazon and Vimeo. Njoku is unwilling to divulge figures, but analysts believe IrokoTV could be worth as much as $30 million. Njoku is the company’s largest individual shareholder.

Only two woman made the list, Magatte Wade of Adina World Beat Beverages & Tiossan and Yolanda Cuba. Yolanda was 29 when she was appointed CEO of Mvelaphanda Holdings, a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed investment holding company.

What do you think about the entire list and the Nigerians that made it on the list?

Sources:
http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/07/12/iroko-tv-founder-jason-njoku-ceo-of-bakrie-delano-africa-ladi-delano-make-forbes-magazines-ten-young-african-millionaires-to-watch-list/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mfonobongnsehe/2012/07/11/ten-young-african-millionaires-to-watch/

At least something good coming out of Nigerians. Sad though that they are based in the Diaspora.

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congratulations

I wonder if these guys ever wrote 1 C V

and some monkeys here will tell me it is not possible to make money without being dubious or being a government apologist. Shame. To them, anyone who is able to afford three square meals is either a rogue, dubious or a dubious politician.

Wait before those monkeys begin to write nonsense about these guys soon.

Where are the loosers that always say every rich person is a Politician or close to a Politician?

Delan joor, plss send me ur digits

Did any of you read that they made this money outside NIGERIA? They could hardly make that kind of money here in Nigeria where the basic infrastructure is almost non-existence.

kitty kat: Delan joor, plss send me ur digits

who is delan? I DEY VEX "FROWNS FACE"

2sexy: who is delan? I DEY VEX "FROWNS FACE"

LOL

kitty kat:
LOL

lol lol lol. Sorry I couldn't call you o. I have been busy with exam. Infact, na inside library I dey type dis. How ya side?

Glad to see this. Its a welcomed development. I've met with Ladi Delano and he's pretty much Nigerian. He is eager to come in and work for his people. Modest guy.
Jason is quite friendly as well... I read over the weekend that iRoko TV is suing Afrinolly...Anyone heard about this?

[http://www.ventures-africa.com/2012/07/iroko-partners-takes-legal-action-against-afrinolly/]

2sexy:
lol lol lol. Sorry I couldn't call you o. I have been busy with exam. Infact, na inside library I dey type dis. How ya side?

I am fine o. I wish d very best.