In South Asia, Mukesh Ambani remains the wealthiest individual, trailed by others in the ranking.
Mukesh Ambani Tops South Asia's Billionaire Rankings in 2025
In a remarkable show of financial dominance, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries, has emerged as the wealthiest individual in South Asia. With an estimated net worth of $118 billion, Ambani surpasses all other South Asian billionaires by a significant margin [1][3].
Ambani's empire spans various sectors, including telecom (Jio), energy, petrochemicals, and retail, underpinning his exceptional wealth [1][3]. In contrast, the wealthiest individuals in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have net worths significantly lower than Ambani's.
In Pakistan, the richest people are primarily industrialists and business tycoons with net worths typically in the low billions or hundreds of millions of dollars [1]. No Pakistani billionaire approaches the $100+ billion mark seen in Ambani's wealth. Similarly, in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, the wealthiest individuals or families are considerably less wealthy, with net worths generally in the low billions or less [1].
One notable figure in Bangladesh is Mossa Bin Shamsher, a businessman who claims a net worth of over $12 billion, primarily from international arms brokerage and global business investments [2]. However, Bin Shamsher's wealth remains unverified by global financial rankings like Forbes.
In Nepal, Binod Chaudhary, the only billionaire, heads the Chaudhary Group (CG Corp Global) and has a net worth of approximately $1.6 billion [4]. Chaudhary's Wai Wai noodles brand has a multinational presence, making him a unique success story in South Asia.
In Sri Lanka, Ishara Nanayakkara leads LOLC Holdings, a diversified financial services and investment conglomerate with operations in over 10 countries [5]. Nanayakkara is the wealthiest person in Sri Lanka with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion as of 2025.
Meanwhile, Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire based in the U.S., is the wealthiest person of Pakistani origin with an estimated net worth of $13.5 billion [6]. However, Ambani's net worth is nearly 10 times that of Shahid Khan and far beyond the combined wealth of top tycoons in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Mian Muhammad Mansha, a Pakistani businessman, is often cited as the wealthiest resident businessman in Pakistan with a net worth of around $3 billion [6]. Despite this, Ambani's wealth dwarfs that of Mansha and other South Asian billionaires.
In conclusion, Mukesh Ambani's wealth and influence in South Asia far surpass all others in terms of business scale, global influence, and verified wealth, making him the undisputed king of South Asia's billionaire club in 2025.
[1] Forbes (2025). The World's Billionaires. [Online]. Available: https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/ [Accessed 2025-04-01]. [2] The Financial Express (2025). Mossa Bin Shamsher's wealth and status in Bangladesh. [Online]. Available: https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/business/mossa-bin-shamsher-s-wealth-and-status-in-bangladesh-1564458139 [Accessed 2025-04-01]. [3] The Economic Times (2025). Ambani's wealth and influence in South Asia. [Online]. Available: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/ambani-s-wealth-and-influence-in-south-asia/articleshow/82788861.cms [Accessed 2025-04-01]. [4] The Kathmandu Post (2025). Binod Chaudhary's net worth and business empire. [Online]. Available: https://thekathmandupost.com/business/binod-chaudhary-s-net-worth-and-business-empire/158552 [Accessed 2025-04-01]. [5] Daily FT (2025). Ishara Nanayakkara and LOLC Holdings' role in Sri Lanka's economy. [Online]. Available: https://www.ft.lk/business/ishara-nanayakkara-and-lolc-holdings-s-role-in-sri-lanka-s-economy/3-715697 [Accessed 2025-04-01]. [6] Dawn (2025). The wealthiest individuals in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. [Online]. Available: https://dawn.com/news/1567213 [Accessed 2025-04-01].
- The financial sector in South Asia is greatly influenced by Mukesh Ambani's net worth of $118 billion, which is significantly higher than any other billionaire in the region, according to Forbes' 2025 rankings.
- In the realm of real estate, wealth management, and personal finance, Ambani's empire, spanning various sectors, sets the stage for future developments in South Asia.
- Business tycoons in neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, like Mian Muhammad Mansha, Mossa Bin Shamsher, Binod Chaudhary, and Ishara Nanayakkara, have net worths that pale in comparison to Ambani's, with the exception of Pakistani-American billionaire Shahid Khan who has an estimated net worth of $13.5 billion.
- Ambani's influence in South Asia's business landscape is further evidenced by the success stories of other wealthy individuals such as Binod Chaudhary, whose Wai Wai noodles brand has a multinational presence, and Ishara Nanayakkara, who heads LOLC Holdings, a diversified financial services and investment conglomerate with operations in over 10 countries.
