What are the biggest black-owned companies in South Africa?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

South Africa features several prominent black-owned and broad-based black economic empowerment enterprises that drive major economic activity across mining, financial services, investment holding, and telecommunications. Notable entities include African Rainbow Minerals, Patrice Motsepe's mining empire, investment powerhouses like Royal Bafokeng Holdings, WIPHOLD, Exxaro Resources, and various prominent empowerment consortiums holding substantial stakes in banking, retail, and industrial infrastructure sectors nationwide.

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Barloworld was originally founded in Durban, South Africa, in 1902 by Major Ernest (Billy) Barlow, who initially established the enterprise under the name Thomas Barlow and Sons.

The Barloworld board of directors comprises a diverse group of executive and non-executive leaders representing the interests of its private ownership and operational management.

Corporate share issuance and trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are continuously active through regular market offerings, rights issues, and initial public offerings by listed entities.

Barloworld ordinary shares were officially delisted from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the A2X following the successful implementation of a compulsory squeeze-out and buyout transaction led by the Zahid Group.

Dominic Sewela acts as the Chief Executive Officer of Barloworld Limited, directing executive operations, regional business segments, and corporate strategy.

Barloworld is privately owned by a consortium anchored by Saudi Arabia's Zahid Group through its investment subsidiary Gulf Falcon Holding.

Dominic Malentsha Sewela serves as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Barloworld Limited, leading the overarching industrial equipment, services, and operations strategy.

The corporate landscape of South Africa is anchored by massive enterprises listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange that dominate domestic and international markets.

Barloworld is a historic industrial brand with roots stretching back well over a century. The enterprise was originally founded in Durban, South Africa, in 1902 by Major Ernest Barlow under the name Thomas Barlow and Sons.

Identifying the single most expensive share on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange depends on whether value is measured by nominal share price per single equity unit or by total market capitalization.

Relebohile Mosaletseng Sehoole Malahleha serves as the Group Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer of Barloworld Limited.

Historically, throughout its decades-long tenure as a publicly traded company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Barloworld maintained a regular dividend-paying policy, rewarding shareholders with periodic interim and final distributions base...

Saudi Arabia's Zahid Group, operating through its investment vehicle Gulf Falcon Holding, successfully acquired the 123-year-old South African industrial enterprise Barloworld in a major international transaction valued at approximately R23 billion.

Evaluating South Africa's biggest brand involves analyzing market capitalization, consumer recognition, and economic footprint across telecommunications, banking, and retail.