South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe increased his net worth by $200 million in May, reaching $3.2 billion, as reported by Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker.
The recent rise in his fortune is tied to African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), the mining company he founded and chairs. ARM’s stock gained 2% in May, climbing from ZAR 155.27 to ZAR 158.46, with a year-to-date increase of 5.37%, outperforming many peers on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Between February and May, over 64 million ARM shares were traded in 173,000 deals, with a total value of ZAR 9.64 billion, signaling strong investor confidence. ARM has pursued growth through diversification, strategic investments, and operational improvements. Despite challenges from a cyclical downturn in commodity prices, its strong balance sheet and focus on high-level demand minerals provide a foundation for long-term growth.
Beyond mining, Motsepe’s wealth is bolstered by his stake in Tyme Group, a Singapore-based digital banking firm that recently achieved a $1.5 billion valuation, becoming Africa’s ninth unicorn. Patrice Motsepe, through his investment vehicle African Rainbow Capital (ARC), has significantly invested in TymeBank, South Africa’s first majority Black-owned digital bank. Motsepe’s ARC remains the majority shareholder, driving TymeBank’s growth to over 9.5 million customers in 2024, with deposits growing 59% to R6.5 billion.
The bank achieved its first profitable month in December 2023, positioning it as one of the world’s fastest-growing digital banks. Following a $250 million Series D funding round led by Nubank’s $150 million investment, Tyme is expanding its reach in emerging markets.
Primary Sources of His Wealth
1. African Rainbow Minerals (ARM):
Motsepe’s primary wealth driver is his 40.37% stake in ARM, a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed diversified mining company with interests in iron ore, manganese, platinum, nickel, chrome, and coal. His stake, held directly and through family trusts, was valued at approximately $1.2 billion in 2025, per Forbes.
2. Harmony Gold:
A significant contributor to Motsepe’s wealth growth in 2025 was a 40% surge in Harmony Gold’s stock price, elevating the value of his stake to $913 million. Harmony Gold, one of South Africa’s largest gold producers, benefited from rising global gold prices, which hit record highs above $2,500 per ounce in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions, inflation fears, and demand for safe-haven assets.
3. African Rainbow Capital (ARC):
Through ARC, a private equity firm he co-founded, Motsepe has diversified his investments beyond mining into financial services, technology, and telecommunications. ARC’s portfolio includes significant stakes in:
-TymeBank: A digital bank valued at $1.1 billion in 2025, with ARC holding a 54.7% stake.
-Rain: A South African data-only mobile network, valued at over $1 billion, where ARC holds a 90% stake. Rain’s growth in the 5G and broadband sectors has strengthened its position in South Africa’s competitive telecom market.
ARC’s investments also span agribusiness, renewable energy, and property, with a focus on empowering black entrepreneurs, aligning with Motsepe’s commitment to economic transformation.
Motsepe, who achieved a groundbreaking milestone in 2008 by becoming the first black African billionaire on the Forbes list, saw his net worth estimated at USD 3 billion, as of 2025, equivalent to approximately R54 billion ZAR. This reflects a $300 million increase from $2.7 billion in February 2025, driven largely by a 40% rise in Harmony Gold’s stock, boosting his stake to $913 million, despite a 49% earnings drop for African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) in the first half of 2025.
The South African billionaire became the first African to join Bill Gates and Warren Buffett’s Giving Pledge, donating at least half of his money to charity in 2013. His influence as a business leader, and philanthropist, underscores his role in shaping Africa’s economic and social landscape.
