Richest Individual in South Asia Remains Mukesh Ambani, With These Contenders Nipping at His Heels
In the vibrant landscape of South Asia, business tycoons continue to shape the economic landscape. However, none come close to the colossal wealth amassed by Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries. With an estimated net worth of $118 billion in 2025, Ambani is not only the richest person in India but also the wealthiest individual in all of South Asia by a substantial margin.
While Ambani's fortune dwarfs that of the richest individuals in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, often by an order of magnitude or more, let's take a closer look at some of the region's other prominent business figures.
In Pakistan, Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire, holds the title of the wealthiest person of Pakistani origin with an estimated net worth of $13.5 billion. Within Pakistan itself, Mian Muhammad Mansha, a resident businessman, heads the Nishat Group and has a net worth of around $3 billion.
In Sri Lanka, Ishara Nanayakkara, a Sri Lankan businessman, stands as the richest person with a net worth near $1.6 billion. Nanayakkara leads LOLC Holdings, a diversified financial services and investment conglomerate with operations in over 10 countries. LOLC Holdings has played a significant role in expanding Sri Lanka's presence in the global microfinance and insurance sectors.
In Bangladesh, while exact top figures were not specified, Mossa Bin Shamsher is a well-known figure with a claimed net worth of over $12 billion, primarily from international arms brokerage and global business investments.
In Nepal, Binod Chaudhary, Nepal's only billionaire, heads the Chaudhary Group (CG Corp Global) and has a net worth of approximately $1.6 billion. Chaudhary has managed to build a multinational presence, making him a unique success story in South Asia. His empire operates in sectors ranging from FMCG and electronics to hospitality and real estate.
Despite his immense wealth and influence, Ambani is not listed as the wealthiest person in Bangladesh, Nepal, or Sri Lanka. However, his empire spans telecom (Jio), energy, petrochemicals, and retail, further solidifying his position as a dominating force in the South Asian business landscape.
In conclusion, Mukesh Ambani's wealth far surpasses that of the richest individuals in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, underscoring the vast disparity in wealth distribution across South Asia. Ambani's fortune nearly 10 times that of Shahid Khan and vastly exceeding others in the region.
- In the real estate sector of South Asia, Mukesh Ambani's empire includes retail and petrochemicals, providing him a dominating force.
- The richest person in Pakistan, Shahid Khan, holds a net worth of $13.5 billion, while Mian Muhammad Mansha of Pakistan has a net worth of around $3 billion.
- In Sri Lanka, Ishara Nanayakkara, the richest person, leads LOLC Holdings, a company that significantly expanded Sri Lanka's presence in the global microfinance and insurance sectors.
- Binod Chaudhary, Nepal's only billionaire, manages a multinational empire that spans sectors like FMCG, electronics, hospitality, and real estate, making him a unique success story in South Asia.
