Here are 30 companies employing the most workers in Africa

Shoprite, a South African retail company and Africa’s largest food retailer, employs more than 170,000 people, making it the continent’s largest employer of labour according to a new analysis by Africap Research.

The pan market intelligence and research firm, which ranked 30 companies with the largest workforce in Africa, shows that South Africa remains the continent’s largest formal-employment corporate economy, as it accounts for almost all companies in the top 15 in the retail, banking, mining, and industrial sectors.

A breakdown of the list reveals that out of the 30 largest employers featured on the list, South Africa accounts for 22 companies, making it a staggering 73 percent of Africa’s top hiring companies. It also shows that retail is Africa’s biggest private-sector job creator, as several of the largest employers are retailers.

The country dominates this year’s ranking despite battling one of the world’s highest unemployment rates and the highest in Africa.

Data from Statistics South Africa the number of unemployed people rose to 32.7 percent in the first quarter of this year from 31.4 percent in the previous quarter. This means that 8.14 million people have been thrown into the joblessness net.

The official jobless rate has been ​above 30 percent for more than five years.

Nigeria ranks number two, claiming five companies on the list. Its largest employers are led by the Dangote Group in the industrial sector, alongside major institutions in the banking and financial sector: FirstBank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, and Access Holdings.

Togo, Morocco, and Kenya are tied for number three, with each nation housing exactly one company on the list. Togo is represented by the financial institution Ecobank, Morocco is represented by the telecommunications firm Maroc Telecom, and Kenya is represented by the telecom operator Safaricom.

Profiles of the top 15 African companies by head country

Shoprite

Shoprite is a South African retail company and Africa’s largest food retailer, employing more than 170,000 people. It was founded in 1979 by Raymond Ackerman and headquartered in Cape Town. The company operates a wide range of retail formats through brands such as Checkers, Usave and its flagship Shoprite stores. Shoprite serves millions of customers every day and plays a key role in the continent’s retail sector. Its extensive operations and large workforce have made it the largest private-sector employer in South Africa, reflecting its significant contribution to economic activity and job creation across the region.

Bidvest

The Bidvest Group is a South African conglomerate employing more than 134,000 people. It was founded in 1988 by Brian Joffe. The company has grown into one of Africa’s most diversified business-to-business services, trading and distribution groups. Operating through a decentralised structure, Bidvest manages a portfolio of approximately 250 companies across industries including freight and logistics, financial services, automotive retail and commercial products.

Sibanye-Stillwater

Sibanye-Stillwater is a South African mining company employing more than 57,900 people. It was formed in 2013 following a restructuring of Gold Fields’ South African operations under Neal Froneman. The company is a major producer of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold. It operates mining assets in South Africa and internationally, and has expanded into battery metals and related resources linked to the energy transition.

FirstRand

FirstRand is a South African financial services group employing more than 50,700 people. It was founded in 1998 through the merger of Rand Merchant Bank, Momentum and First National Bank under the leadership of Laurie Dippenaar, GT Ferreira and Paul Harris. The company provides banking, lending, investment and insurance services through brands including FNB, RMB and WesBank.

Standard Bank

Standard Bank Group is a South African financial services company employing more than 50,500 people. It was founded in 1862 in London as the Standard Bank of British South Africa and later became headquartered in South Africa. The group provides corporate, investment and retail banking services across multiple African markets, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pepkor

Pepkor is a South African retail group employing more than 46,000 people. It was established in 2014 following the restructuring of Pepkor Holdings, with roots dating back to 1965 when PEP Stores was founded by Renier van Rooyen. The company operates a large network of discount retail stores across Africa, including brands such as PEP and Ackermans.

Gold Fields

Gold Fields is a South African mining company employing more than 47,500 people. It was founded in 1887 by Cecil Rhodes and Charles Rudd. The company focuses on gold production and operates mines in South Africa, Ghana, Australia, Peru and Chile.

Absa

Absa Group is a South African financial services company employing more than 36,800 people. It was founded in 1991 through the merger of several South African banks and later formed part of Barclays Africa Group before becoming independent in 2018. The group provides banking, lending, investment and wealth management services across several African countries.

Harmony

Harmony gold mining company is a South African mining company employing more than 34,400 people. It was founded in 1950 by the South African mining group Rand Mines. The company focuses on gold production and operates both underground and surface mining operations in South Africa and Papua New Guinea.

AngloGold Ashanti

AngloGold Ashanti is a South African mining company employing more than 34,300 people. It was formed in 2004 through the merger of AngloGold and Ashanti Goldfields Corporation. The company operates gold mining projects across Africa, the Americas and Australia.

Woolworths

Woolworths Holdings Limited is a South African retail company employing more than 32,700 people. It was founded in 1931 by Max Sonnenberg in Cape Town. The company operates retail stores across Southern Africa, offering clothing, beauty products and food items focused on mid- to higher-income customers.

Mr Price Group

Mr Price Group is a South African retail company employing more than 32,100 people. It was founded in 1985 by Laurie Chiappini and Stewart Cohen. The company operates in clothing and homeware retail, using both physical stores and online channels across the region.

Dangote Group

Dangote Group is a Nigerian industrial conglomerate employing more than 30,000 people. It was founded in 1981 by Aliko Dangote. The company operates in cement manufacturing, sugar refining, fertiliser production, oil refining and logistics across Nigeria and West Africa.

Pick n Pay

Pick n Pay is a South African retail company employing more than 25,000 people. It was founded in 1967 by Raymond Ackerman in Cape Town. The company operates supermarkets through corporate and franchise models, offering groceries, clothing and general merchandise.

Sasol

Sasol is a South African energy and chemical company employing more than 27,100 people. It was founded in 1950 as Suid-Afrikaanse Steenkool-, Olie- en Gasmaatskappy (South African Coal, Oil and Gas Corporation). The company produces fuels, chemicals and electricity and develops synthetic fuel technologies.

The others are:

Sanlam in South Africa ranks 16 with more than 23,900 employees, followed by Clicks Group, also in South Africa ranking at 17 with over 20,100 employees.

Nedbank in South Africa ranks 18 with around 19,500 employees and MTN with approximately 19,300 employees, ranking at 19. Dis-Chem in South Africa ranks 20 with about 18,500 employees, followed by FirstBank in Nigeria at rank 21 with around 16,000 employees.

Ecobank, based in Togo, ranks 22 with more than 14,000 employees, while Old Mutual in South Africa ranks 23 with about 13,000 employees. At ranks 24 and 25 are Truworths in South Africa, and Maroc Telecom in Morocco, each with approximately 12,000 employees.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) in Nigeria ranks 26 with about 10,821 employees, followed by SPAR in South Africa ranking at 27 with around 10,512 employees. Zenith Bank in Nigeria ranks 28 with approximately 10,520 employees, and Access Holdings in Nigeria ranks 29 with about 9,960 employees. The list concludes with Safaricom in Kenya ranking number 30, employing more than 6,500 people.